FPGA Designer - Kitchener - Fidus Systems

Description

Fidus is a global high‑tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener‑Waterloo and San Jose. We specialise 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 FPGA Designer plays a key role in designing and delivering complex FPGA‑based systems for Fidus clients. You will work directly with customers and internal Fidus teams to define architectures, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, close timing, and support lab bring‑up and debug. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with new FPGA families and tools, is comfortable moving between different application domains (video, communications, storage, signal processing), and takes pride in producing high‑quality, well‑documented designs.

Make an Impact

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 in areas such as space and satellite systems, next‑generation communications and networking, high‑performance compute and storage platforms, advanced video, imaging, VR/AR applications, and industrial, medical, and automotive systems. 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

• Work with clients and other Fidus employees to develop complex FPGA and/or CPLD based systems, including architecture, custom development, integrated IP, simulations, and timing analysis and closure.
• Design FPGA based systems using Xilinx and Intel devices and tools.
• Participate in design reviews (hardware‑software interface, input‑outputs etc.) to ensure Fidus quality standards and customer requirements are being adhered to.
• Perform lab testing, debug of prototypes, and support hardware/software engineers as needed.
• Perform customer prototype demonstrations and author test plans, design description and user documentation.
• Provide technical insight to customers during the pre‑sales and implementation phase of projects.
• Provide technical support to the Business Manager and Sales team by providing detailed estimates on project scope, schedule, and deliverables and by presenting the technical aspects of Fidus proposals to the client.

Who You're Looking For

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing using RTL/Verilog/VHDL on FPGAs.
• Experience with video systems and specification standards, video algorithms, and high‑speed memory and bus interfaces, communications protocols, and DSP or processor instantiations.
• Created designs using Xilinx or Altera FPGA families and have a solid understanding of tool flow.
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus, and/or ModelSim.
• RTL design and verification including test benches, functional simulations, and timing closure.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, are fluent in English, have great customer interaction presence, and quickly learn new technologies and processes.
• Proven techniques and habits that lead to high quality design.
• Degree as a B.A.Sc., B.Eng. or equivalent.
• As AMD Embedded Premier Partner, you will be certified to the highest level of FPGA qualification – this will be your first "to‑do" item upon joining us.

This role is being posted to fill an existing vacancy.

Annual base salary ranges from $125,000 to $160,000. The final offer within this range takes into account the variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity.

Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching GRSP contributions, annual profit‑sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.

We also recognise 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.

Our work spans space and satellite systems, next‑generation communications and networking, high‑performance compute and storage platforms, advanced video and imaging, and industrial, medical, and automotive systems. We are not tied to a single product or industry—our work follows the technology, not just one roadmap.

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.

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.