DSP Designer

About this role

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 & Defense, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, Medical Devices, 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 & Defense, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, Medical Devices, 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
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)
Location and travel: Fully remote role and requires a minimum of 20% travel, including domestic and international.
Benefits
Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k) contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.
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…