Dominion Dynamics is an Ottawa-based defence technology startup developing autonomous combat aircraft and an Autonomous Collaborative Platform to operate alongside manned fighters.
Embedded Systems Engineer Preferred Location: Toronto Reports to: Director of Engineering THE ROLE Real missions require embedded systems that survive constrained links, harsh environments, and rapid iteration cycles; delivering that reliability saves time, risk, and cost in deployment. This role supports critical firmware, communications, and diagnostics work so Dominion Dynamics systems remain operational and supportable in the field. As an Embedded Systems Engineer, you’ll join our engineering cohort focused on integrating cutting-edge hardware platforms with secure, resilient software systems in extreme field environments. Your work will enable real-time interoperability between uncrewed systems, edge nodes, sensors, and command interfaces. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring that distributed software and hardware elements function and communicate reliably in the Arctic, and meet both defence and civilian dual-use demands. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Design and build integration layers across hardware, sensors, and communication systems. - Implement and manage messaging and control protocols using DDS and JAUS standards. - Develop and maintain plug-ins and interface modules for ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit). - Integrate robotic and sensing platforms using ROS 2 and sensor fusion middleware. - Collaborate with software and hardware teams to ensure seamless operation between the software stack and field-deployed platforms. - Design and maintain telemetry, control, and visualization interfaces for forward-deployed operators. - Develop test harnesses, simulators, and diagnostic tools for real-world and lab environments. - Participate in field deployments and systems validation in the Arctic or remote test sites. WHAT YOU’LL BRING - 2-5 years developing and integrating firmware/systems; 5+ years in robotics/defence/industrial automation is a plus. - Strong firmware skills in C/C++ with practical scripting in Python; familiarity with JavaScript is helpful for tooling/visualization. - Embedded Linux and RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS) fundamentals; cross-compilation, startup/init, and service management. - Build and toolchain proficiency: CMake, Make, reproducible builds, version control (Git/GitHub). - Interfaces and protocols: CAN, SPI, I²C, TCP/IP; serial comms and message framing. - Debugging across HW/FW: JTAG, GDB, vendor IDEs; board bring-up, fault tracing, and performance profiling. - Microcontrollers: STM32 and TI families; drivers, HALs, and peripheral integration. - Robotics integration platforms: ROS 2, DDS, JAUS, TAK/ATAK (Android/Windows or similar); experience deploying any of these in real scenarios is strongly preferred. - Perception/sensor tooling: exposure to OpenCV, sensor-fusion stacks, and telemetry/visualization flows. - Cloud/dev tooling familiarity: GCP (or similar), CI basics, artifact packaging. - Traits: pragmatic and test-driven, comfortable in high-ambiguity startup environments, collaborative and low-ego, mission-aligned with building sovereign capability. - Eligibility for Canadian security clearance preferred; Canadian citizenship an asset. No defence background required. We've hired people who didn't tick every box. If this is the work you want to do, please apply anyway. WHY JOIN US Building something meaningful starts with the right people. At Dominion Dynamics, you’ll: - Shape Canada’s future by building real defence capability for the CAF and our allies. - Make decisions that ship in a high-trust environment with short feedback loops and rapid iteration. - Move fast, field faster, and work directly with the operator — our systems are in the field with the CAF now. - Have an impact from day one with equity, responsibility, and direct access to leadership. If you’re curious, hands-on, and driven by the opportunity to make a difference, this is where you belong! COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Competitive base salary and company equity - Comprehensive health benefits - Additional equity granted based on impact We use AI tools to support parts of the hiring process, including screening and reviewing responses. Final hiring decisions are always made by people and follow all applicable privacy and employment laws in Canada.