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, mechanical/thermal, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.
Position Overview/Mandate
The Senior Mechanical Designer plays a key role in architecting and delivering the mechanical and thermal side of cutting-edge embedded systems for Fidus clients in aerospace and defence, space, medtech, communications, automotive, and industrial applications. This is a senior, client-facing role that combines hands-on mechanical architecture and design, project leadership, and oversight of external delivery partners.
This role is ideal for someone who has worked across multiple teams, can act as the technical point of contact for clients, and enjoys supporting presales scoping and estimation. You take pride in delivering production-ready designs, holding partners to a high standard of quality, and helping teammates grow.
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 & Defence, Life Sciences and Medical Devices, Space and Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, 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
- Architect, design, and validate mechanical parts, mechanisms, electro-mechanical assemblies, and board/enclosure outlines through lab-based testing, producing production-ready drawings, tolerance analysis, and BOMs
- Support presales by scoping new opportunities with clients and the estimating team, reviewing RFQs/RFPs, and developing effort estimates
- Partner with electronic hardware and PCB layout designers to translate client requirements into conceptual and detailed mechanical designs
- Coordinate between the project manager and external mechanical and thermal engineering teams to evaluate estimates, track schedules and deliverables, and set priorities to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery
- Provide quality oversight of mechanical designs and thermal/FEA analysis across internal and external design teams, escalating schedule, quality, or scope issues as needed
- Act as the mechanical/thermal point of contact for client engagements, ensuring mechanical, electrical, and thermal design stay aligned throughout delivery
- Liaise with EDA tool suppliers to ensure tools meet the mechanical/thermal design team's evolving needs
- Identify and drive adoption of AI tools to improve mechanical/thermal design workflows and productivity
- Support the resourcing team in staffing new projects with the right mechanical/thermal skill sets
- Contribute to teammates' growth and development through hands-on training and mentoring
Who You Are
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with 10+ years designing mechanical components and systems for electronic assemblies, including senior or lead-level experience
- Proficiency in a major mechanical CAD platform (SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX, or Inventor)
- Working knowledge of thermal and FEA principles (e.g., FloTherm, ANSYS Icepak, or similar), sufficient to direct and evaluate the work of others
- Experience with rapid prototyping methods (3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal) to support early proof-of-concept and design validation
- Experience with lab-based testing (thermal, vibration, mechanical) to verify and validate designs against requirements
- Experience managing external design, thermal, or manufacturing partners: reviewing quotes, negotiating schedules, and holding partners accountable for quality and delivery
- Proven client-facing skills, including presenting design status, resolving issues, and supporting RFQ/RFP or scoping conversations
- Solid understanding of materials, mechanical assemblies, manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, injection molding, die casting), and electronic cooling/heat flow fundamentals
- Ability to fully document detailed mechanical designs suitable for prototyping and manufacturing (GD&T, tolerance stack-up)
- Comfortable managing multiple concurrent client engagements with competing priorities
- Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit, with familiarity with AI tools relevant to mechanical design and engineering workflows and an interest in applying them to improve productivity and efficiency
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Location and travel: Position is based in Canada. Travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery.
This position may require access to export-controlled information. Candidates will be required to complete background checks and security screening under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and may also be required to obtain a security clearance under the Contract Security Program (CSP) administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC, formerly PWGSC).
Benefits
This role is being posted to fill an existing vacancy
Annual base salary ranges from $107,000 to $135,000. The final offer within this range takes into account the variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity.
Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching GRSP 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 customers.
At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.
If all of this excites you, has your attention, and you can't wait to join our amazing team and work environment, then we want to hear from you!
Curious what it's actually like to work here? Take a look at our Working at Fidus page: https://fidus.com/careers/join-fidus/
Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.
