FPGA / Embedded Design Engineer

Our Company

We are Twin Paradox Labs, a small startup with very big aspirations: To remove the technical barriers limiting scientific progress so that humanity’s greatest challenges can be overcome. We are developing hardware to transform quantum and atomic devices from academic experiments into real-world instruments, unlocking entire new fields of research and discovery in applications as varied as greenhouse gas sensing, quantum computing, and space exploration. All of this starts by building precision electronics and optics to manipulate the internal structure of single atoms. That’s what we do.

In the past 8 months we have:

• Launched a prototype laser system on a SpaceX rocket, enabling a quantum gravity sensor for earth observation
• Demonstrated the viability of our laser technology in the application of greenhouse gas sensing
• Delivered our first product, a robust and compact laser system, to a Government of Canada Defense organization

If you have a “can-do” attitude, want to be constantly learning and trying new things, and want to build the best possible tools to explore and protect our world, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for an FPGA / Embedded Design Engineer to join our team. In this role you will play a vital part in the development of Twin Paradox Labs’ laser systems, focused on both R&D and product development. You will be a leader within our small startup team, taking responsibility for Xilinx Zynq development work while working closely with team members in other disciplines to deliver impactful electro-optic products.

You will implement new control algorithms, command structures, and digital signal processing in FPGAs and on ARM cores, and help implement fault tolerance and remote operation to enable laser system use in harsh terrestrial conditions all the way to CubeSats and the ISS.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain FPGA code in VHDL and Verilog, and Linux scripts and drivers for Zynq-7000 architecture
• Develop in both PS and PL sides of Zynq series FPGAs
• Work within an embedded Linux environment and write code in C, shell, and Python
• Develop and implement control techniques (PID, Kalman, etc.) using DSP (filters, modulations, etc.)
• FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, constraints, clock domain crossing, and timing analysis and closure
• Work with a scripted workflow using TCL, Makefile, and shell
• Explore software defined radio techniques and interfacing with ADC/DACs and SDR transceivers
• Simulation, integration, and lab debugging
• Architecture, design, and test documentation development
• Participate in and lead design reviews
• Contribute to best practices and methodologies definition

Experience

• Bachelors Degree in relevant Engineering specialty or equivalent
• 5+ years FPGA development and hands on lab experience
• Experience with Xilinx products and Linux
• Experience with AXI bus protocol
• Familiarity with high speed SERDES
• Familiarity with SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet protocols
• Experience with git version control
• Comfortable working with a multi-disciplinary team
• Familiar with a structured product development process
• Experience with design requirements capture, analysis, and tracking
• Comfortable debugging, testing, and verification of new and legacy designs, and supporting their integration into working hardware

Nice to Have Skills

• C / VHDL co-simulation
• Verification with UVM or VHDL
• Experience in modelling, including GNU Radio
• Experience with TCP protocol and developing Python GUIs an asset
• Hobby projects with FPGA / Microcontrollers / Raspberry Pi / etc.

About You

• Self-motivated and able to work independently, strong time management skills to reliably deliver solutions within budget and on time
• Excited to collaborate with other engineering and science disciplines
• Strong, efficient, and systematic troubleshooting and debugging skills, and proficiency with typical lab equipment
• Inherently curious with a strong desire to learn new fields (Quantum/photonics/sensing applications) and develop and deploy new techniques for them

Details

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: $80,000 to $120,000 annually plus employee stock options

Benefits: Health benefits plan

Location: Central Ottawa (Lansdowne/Glebe)

Environment: Primarily in-office/lab, with occasional remote-work flexibility

Note: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a security clearance to work on projects with the Canadian government which may include providing proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Please only apply if you believe you will be able to obtain security clearance.