Solutions Architect, FPGA

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.

We are seeking a Solutions Architect, FPGA that will have a critical role in understanding technical project requirements, for existing and potential clients, to assess whether the opportunity will be a good fit. Once an opportunity fit is assessed, the Solutions Architect will be responsible for developing a solution path, preparing an estimate for the work, and highlighting the risks and mitigation strategies.

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.

• Work directly with potential and existing clients to understand their needs, then develop their requirements;

• Architect a solution that meets the Client’s needs;

• Develop a plan, identify risks and mitigation strategies, and estimate the work required, to deliver a client solution;

• Write the technical content for proposals;

• Understand and present Fidus’ resource skill capabilities and work approach;

• Discuss, promote, defend, and, if necessary, refine, the work approach and estimate;

• Evaluate and understand solutions, to partition programs into logical segments;

• Undertake project work as required;

• Assist in identifying and developing new Fidus products;

• Assist in identifying new areas of investment and research & development.

• Bachelor’s degree in either Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or the equivalent;

• Ideally at least seven (7) years of design background in a Senior FPGA Designer role;

• System Level design experience and interest, including identifying architectural approaches and tradeoffs;

• An expert level of knowledge of RTL design in VHDL and/or System Verilog, from architecture through timing closure;

• Hands-on experience with AMD and/or Altera device families — Versal, Ultra Scale+, Zynq, Agilex, Stratix — and their associated tool chains;

• Experience architecting high-speed interfaces and subsystems, including PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory controllers, JESD
  204, and AXI-based SoC integration;

• Familiarity with verification approaches, including System Verilog/UVM test benches and hardware-in-the-loop validation;

• In-lab experience with FPGA bring-up, debug, and performance validation;

• Some knowledge of hardware and embedded software;

• Exposure to high-reliability or safety-critical FPGA development, such as DO-254 or equivalent, is an asset;

• Ability to undertake designs with ITAR restrictions or Classified information;

• Concise communication and writing skills;

• Excellent listening, understanding, and extrapolation skills;

• Professional and personable;

• Enjoys travel, which is anticipated to be up to 6 weeks per year, typically within North America;

• Proven experience with giving presentations to small-to-medium sized groups.

Location and travel:
Position is based in the United States. Travel…