Embedded Systems Developer Intern

About the role

The Embedded Systems Developer Intern will work alongside Q-Block's firmware and hardware engineers on real‑time control and data‑acquisition electronics that power the company's quantum platforms. This hands‑on role involves writing firmware, bringing up boards, designing small circuits, and seeing your work exercised on real hardware.

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded firmware for microcontroller‑based systems supporting quantum hardware.
• Contribute to digital logic and FPGA work for signal processing, control and data acquisition.
• Assist with peripheral integration, sensor interfacing and communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART).
• Support PCB bring‑up, debugging and basic circuit characterization.
• Collaborate with engineering and scientific teams to integrate embedded solutions with quantum hardware.

Required profile

• Currently enrolled in Electrical, Computer, Electronics Engineering or Computer Science (minimum 2nd‑year coursework).
• Academic or project experience with embedded electronics and microcontrollers (Arduino, STM32, PIC, Teensy or similar).
• Proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded systems and familiarity with SPI, I2C, UART protocols.

Required skills

• C programming
• C++ programming
• Microcontroller platforms (Arduino, STM32, PIC, Teensy)
• SPI, I2C, UART communication
• Digital logic and basic circuit analysis
• FPGA development (VHDL or Verilog) – preferred
• RTOS or bare‑metal real‑time concepts – preferred
• Development tools: STM32CubeIDE, PlatformIO, Keil, IAR, Xilinx/Intel FPGA tools – preferred
• Version control with Git
• PCB design tools (KiCad, Altium) – preferred
• Laboratory instruments: oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter, signal generator – preferred

What we offer

• Competitive hourly compensation ($18–$25 CAD per hour, based on academic level and experience).
• Extended health care including dental and vision.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible scheduling compatible with academic calendar.