Cyber Security Tooling Coop

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BlackBerry’s QNX unit is offering multiple co‑op roles in Ottawa Kanata for students in CS, CE, or Software Engineering who are passionate about cybersecurity and embedded software. You’ll help build and maintain security tooling for researchers, improve automated security frameworks, support fuzzing and ISO/SAE 21434 activities, and integrate tools into CI/CD pipelines across the QNX stack from kernel to web apps. The ideal candidate is enrolled, proficient in several languages (C, Python, C#, Go), comfortable in POSIX environments, able to read and modify code, and eager to ship practical tooling. Tips: tailor your resume to tooling projects, highlight embedded or QNX/Linux experience, show collaboration and problem solving, and include a brief note on why this role fits you, with a readiness to work onsite in Kanata for 4 to 8 months.

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Job Description: 

QNX is a world leader in the embedded software that drives many of the world's most interesting products. From space cameras to nuclear reactors to autonomous vehicles and sophisticated medical devices, QNX provides the foundation operating system that runs these systems.

To support these rapidly growing industries, we're offering several exciting co-op opportunities in our R&D and Engineering Services teams at our Ottawa office. These roles are ideal for students passionate about cybersecurity and embedded software development and eager to work on impactful, real-world projects.

Location: Kanata, Ottawa, ON
Duration: Minimum of 4 months (ideally 8)
Salary: Dependent on number of academic terms and co-op placements completed

We are seeking a co-op student to contribute to the development and maintenance of cybersecurity tooling for QNX products. In this role, you will help build, improve, and extend tools used by security researchers and engineers to analyze, test, harden, and certify QNX-based systems.

You will gain hands-on experience working at many different levels of the software stack, from the QNX kernel to web applications.

What You'll Do

• Contribute to internal security tools used for analysis, testing, and validation of QNX components
• Investigate, fix, and improve existing automated security frameworks
• Enhance tooling for both Fuzzing and ISO/SAE 21434 certification activities
• Integrate and maintain security tooling within CI/CD pipelines
• Collaborate closely with security researchers and system developers to align tooling with real needs

What You'll Learn

• Fundamentals of the QNX microkernel, including services, IPC, and POSIX compatibility
• Techniques for fuzzing, how fuzzers work, and how to integrate them to fuzz existing code bases
• How cybersecurity tooling strengthens the cybersecurity of software
• Practical challenges of maintaining long-lived automation frameworks

What You Need

• Currently enrolled in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related program
• Strong programming skills in several different programming languages and the ability to learn new languages as needed. Our current tooling is a mix of C, Python, C#, and Go
• Experience working in POSIX-based environments such as QNX or Linux
• Ability to read, debug, and modify existing codebases
• Interest in building and improving tools that other engineers rely on
• Comfortable diagnosing failures and improving imperfect systems

Nice-to-Have Skills (Not Required)

• Exposure to embedded systems, RTOS concepts, or QNX
• Experience with CI/CD systems and source control
• Interest in systems programming or product security tooling

Why Join Us

• Work on core security tooling that directly supports existing and new products
• Exposure to system-level security in safety-critical environments
• Mentorship from experienced security researchers and engineers
• Make meaningful, lasting contributions to the cybersecurity of QNX products
• Wellness Support: Access to events that support physical, mental and financial wellness. We host wellness sessions, fitness courses, discounts to local gyms and offer a 24/7 Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
• Collaborative Culture: Highly collaborative teams and a supportive workplace environment, with organization-wide events and a student social committee
• Employee Perks: Enjoy snacks, beverages, and discounts at local stores, restaurants, and gyms

At QNX, it all starts with you!

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