Software Engineering Lead

Job Title: Software Engineering Lead Job Description As a Software Engineering Lead, you provide technical leadership across a complex optical networking product, owning the software architecture, driving customer requirements, resolving defects, and designing new features. You mentor engineers, improve development processes, and work across the full software development lifecycle to deliver robust embedded C++ solutions on Linux-based networking systems. This role sits at the intersection of embedded software, optical networking, and network management technologies, contributing directly to foundational infrastructure that enables next-generation computing and communications. Responsibilities

- Own the software architecture and system-level design for embedded C++ solutions on Linux-based networking platforms.
- Drive and refine software requirements based on customer needs and feedback, translating them into clear technical specifications.
- Design and architect new product features for optical networking and network management systems.
- Develop high-quality, maintainable software solutions across the full software development lifecycle.
- Investigate, resolve, and prevent software defects and customer issues, ensuring stability and reliability in production environments.
- Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance on design, coding practices, debugging, and professional growth.
- Review architecture and design decisions to ensure scalability, performance, and alignment with product strategy.
- Improve engineering processes, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency, quality, and collaboration within the team.
- Evaluate, select, and implement tools and automation opportunities, including CI/CD pipelines and test automation.
- Work across the full SDLC, including requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
- Support migration of software to new hardware, processors, and platforms as product and technology needs evolve.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate optical networking components and network management technologies into cohesive solutions.

Essential Skills

- At least 7 years of experience in software engineering leadership, with a focus on embedded systems and complex products.
- Strong proficiency in Embedded C++ development, including modern C++ standards (C++11, C++14, C++17).
- Hands-on experience with Embedded Linux and Linux-based networking systems.
- Expertise in software architecture and system-level design for distributed or embedded systems.
- Practical experience working across the full software development lifecycle, from requirements to deployment.
- Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and their use in embedded applications.
- Experience with network management technologies such as YANG, NETCONF, SONiC, OpenConfig, gRPC, and CLI.
- Solid understanding of optical networking domain concepts, including EDFA, Raman, WSS, OCM, OSC, and Layer 0/Layer 1.
- Proficiency in Python for tooling, automation, or auxiliary development tasks.
- Strong coding, debugging, and problem-solving skills in C and C++.
- Experience using Git and GitHub for version control and collaborative development.
- Experience with CI/CD tools and pipelines, including Jenkins.
- Familiarity with Jira or similar tools for issue tracking and project management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Deep interest in optical networking technologies and the physical layer of communication systems.
- Experience integrating optical networking components such as EDFA, Raman amplifiers, WSS, OCM, and OSC into software-controlled systems.
- Understanding of network elements and how they interact within Layer 0 and Layer 1 architectures.
- Experience building or enhancing network management systems using YANG models, NETCONF, OpenConfig, and related technologies.
- Experience in designing software that interfaces with hardware, processors, and low-level device control.
- Ability to evaluate and adopt new tools, frameworks, and automation strategies to improve engineering productivity.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams and customers.
- Demonstrated ability to lead by example, set technical direction, and foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

Work Environment The role begins as a remote position for the first few months while a new lab is built in Ottawa, providing flexibility to work from home during the initial phase. Once the lab is operational, the role transitions to an on-site environment where you work directly with hardware, optical components, and embedded systems in a dedicated engineering lab. You collaborate with a global team focused on photonics, laser technology, compound semiconductors, and advanced networking, contributing to technologies that power AI data centers, autonomous systems, and scientific research. The environment emphasizes innovation, hands-on experimentation, and close interaction with cutting-edge optical networking and network management technologies. This posting is for an existing vacancy!
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ottawa, ON.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ottawa, ON.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Ottawa,ON.

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About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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