DSP Designer

Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.

Position Overview/Mandate:

The DSP Designer plays a key role in developing and delivering complex signal processing algorithms for Fidus clients, from concept through simulation, fixed-point implementation, and hardware bring-up. You will work directly with customers and internal Fidus FPGA/hardware teams to design algorithms, perform quantization and bit-width analysis, and translate DSP concepts into feasible hardware architectures.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys moving between application domains (communications, radar/sensing, industrial, medical), is comfortable working across the algorithm-to-hardware boundary, and takes pride in producing well-documented, bit-true designs.

Make an Impact with US:

At Fidus, you'll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You'll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.

In practice, that means contributing to projects across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements. You won't be limited to a single product or industry—your work will follow the technology, not just one roadmap.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Develop and simulate DSP algorithms (equalization, filtering, estimation, detection) in MATLAB/Simulink and/or Python, from concept through fixed-point validation
• Perform quantization/bit-width analysis and produce bit-true fixed-point models suitable for HDL implementation
• Collaborate with FPGA/HDL and hardware teams to translate algorithms into feasible hardware architectures (pipelining, MAC/resource budgeting, timing closure)
• Support HDL verification through golden-model test vectors and co-simulation
• Support lab bring-up, characterization, and tuning of DSP-based hardware against real-world channel/sensor behavior
• Adapt existing DSP toolkits to new client domains and standards across multiple engagements (e.g., Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor)
• Document algorithm design decisions, trade-offs, and validation results for client and internal reference

Who You are:

• BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field
• Strong foundation in signals and systems: Fourier/Z-transform, digital filter design (FIR/IIR), sampling theory
• Practical experience with estimation/detection theory (e.g., matched filtering, MMSE, Kalman filtering) or adaptive filtering (LMS/RLS)
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and/or Python for algorithm design and simulation
• Experience with fixed-point conversion and quantization trade-off analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work across the algorithm-to-hardware boundary (collaborating directly with HDL/FPGA teams)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills - ability to explain algorithm trade-offs to non-DSP stakeholders
• Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit

Location and travel: Hybrid role based in Ottawa or Kitchener-Waterloo, and travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in one or more of: optical/wireless communications, radar/sensing, motor control, biomedical signal processing, semiconductor test
• Experience with high-speed SerDes and PAM4 signaling (e.g., PCIe Gen6, 400G/800G Ethernet electrical) - equalization (FFE/CTLE/DFE), link training, and FEC awareness
• Familiarity with AMD's Adaptive Computing portfolio (Versal, Alveo) or embedded x86 product lines
• Familiarity with HDL Coder, HLS, or Simulink-to-HDL co-simulation workflows
• Hands-on lab experience (scope, VNA, BERT, or domain-equivalent test equipment)
• Exposure to safety-critical or regulated development processes (DO-178C/DO-254, ISO 26262, IEC 62304/60601) - valued for A&D, automotive, and medtech engagements specifically
• Experience adapting quickly across multiple industries or client domains (consulting/services background a plus)
• Exposure to AI/ML techniques applied to signal processing on FPGAs, GPUs, NPUs, or CPUs
• Experience with dedicated DSP processors (e.g., Analog Devices, Texas Instruments)
• Experience with RF front-end systems and data converter interfaces (ADC/DAC), including digital up/down-conversion (DUC/DDC)

This role is being posted to fill an existing vacancy.

We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.

About Fidus & Why Work Here

Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.

Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.

At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.

If all of this excites you, has your attention, and you can't wait to join our amazing team and work environment, then we want to hear from you!

Curious what it's actually like to work here? Take a look at our Working at Fidus page.

Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.

Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.