Ottawa, ON – July 24, 2026 – The Government of Canada has launched the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI), a new program that will create a faster pathway for Canadian uncrewed and autonomous systems companies to move from concept to operational use with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).
Led jointly by the Department of National Defence and the Defence Investment Agency (DIA), the DDI will establish a standing supplier marketplace open to startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, established defence manufacturers and Indigenous businesses. A Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) is open on CanadaBuys until August 14, 2026, with a virtual information session on July 30. Successful applicants may be notified as early as September.
The initiative responds to a fundamental shift in modern conflict. Drone technologies are now central to intelligence and surveillance, logistics, personnel protection and counter-drone operations. Initial areas of need include low-cost tactical ISR drones, uncrewed ground vehicles, maritime and underwater systems, counter-drone interceptors and deep precision strike systems.
“The future of defence will belong to those who can innovate and adapt the fastest. Uncrewed and autonomous systems are already transforming modern military operations, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and field these capabilities at speed. The Defence Drone Initiative will connect the operational needs of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard with the ingenuity, talent and industrial capacity that exist across Canada—strengthening our security while creating new opportunities for Canadian innovators.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, in the government’s July 23 announcement
“Building Canada’s uncrewed systems ecosystem goes beyond acquiring new equipment. It strengthens national security, improves operational readiness, supports innovation, grows the defence industry, and creates jobs. The initiative demonstrates Canada’s commitment to building security through Canadian expertise, with the Defence Investment Agency helping accelerate procurement through the Build-Partner-Buy approach.”
Doug Guzman, Chief Executive Officer, Defence Investment Agency, in the government’s July 23 announcement
Ottawa–Gatineau: Ready to Deliver
Canada’s Capital Region arrives at this moment with its ecosystem already in motion. Area X.O, Invest Ottawa’s all-weather R&D complex, opened Canada’s first Drone and Advanced Robotics Testing and Training Zone (DARTT) in June 2026, precisely the kind of infrastructure DDI suppliers will need to validate technologies before a contract is awarded. More than 330 defence, aerospace and security companies and upwards of 10,000 professionals are active in the region, spanning the full technology stack the DDI requires: AI, sensors, advanced manufacturing, secure communications and autonomous systems.
The DDI arrives as Canada commits to raising defence spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035, with the Defence Industrial Strategy identifying uncrewed and autonomous systems as a key sovereign capability priority. For the more than 330 defence, aerospace and security companies in Ottawa–Gatineau, the open RFSA is a direct opportunity to become an early DDI supplier before the August 14 deadline. Canada was also selected earlier this year to host the new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), and Ottawa–Gatineau is putting forward its case as the Bank’s home city, the only place in Canada where the full federal financial, diplomatic and defence enterprise operate side by side.
To learn more about Invest Ottawa’s Defence Innovation Hub, visit dihub.ca
Autonomous airship pioneer backed by the NATO Innovation Fund lands in Canada’s Capital to advance Arctic security, resilience, and operational readiness.
Defence and security organizations worldwide are searching for persistent, reliable ways to monitor vast, unforgiving terrain, and few technologies have been built, from the ground up, for the Arctic. Kelluu has. The Finnish deep-tech company is now bringing that capability to Canada, opening an official office in Ottawa and formally joining the country’s defence and security ecosystem.
Built for the Arctic, Built for the Mission
Kelluu is a Finnish defence technology company developing autonomous, lighter-than-air airships that deliver persistent, high-accuracy aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Founded in 2018 and tested from its earliest days in the demanding weather of Finland’s north, Kelluu’s platform stays airborne for up to twelve hours, captures centimetre-level accuracy that surpasses satellites, operates silently and without emissions, functions reliably to -30°C, and continues performing even when GNSS signals are degraded or denied.
For defence and security applications, this creates a persistent ISR layer that extends the reach of radars, sensors, and cameras across land, air, and maritime domains. The same platform is dual-use by design, also monitoring energy grids, pipelines, wind farms, and the environment for civilian customers.
That momentum has attracted serious backing: a €15 million Series A round supported by Finland’s state-owned investment company and the NATO Innovation Fund, marking the fund’s first-ever investment in a Finnish company.
Defence Technology • Aerial ISR • Autonomous Systems
Founded / HQ
2018, Finland — headquartered in Joensuu, with offices in Helsinki and Tampere
New Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Key Technology
Autonomous, lighter-than-air airships: 12-hour endurance, centimetre-level accuracy, Arctic-proven to -30°C
Notable Backers
NATO Innovation Fund (first Finnish investment) and Finland’s state-owned investment company
IO Program
Global Expansion — Canada’s National Capital Region defence and security ecosystem, with on-the-ground support through Area X.O.
Why Ottawa
As Kelluu looked to establish its presence in North America, Ottawa stood out as the natural landing point. Canada’s Capital is home to the country’s national defence headquarters, its largest concentration of Canadian Armed Forces and defence procurement decision-makers, and a rapidly growing cluster of companies and research institutions working at the leading edge of defence and security innovation, a natural fit for a company whose technology was purpose-built for Arctic conditions and GNSS-denied environments.
“Canada and Area X.O in Ottawa offer an ideal platform for growing a company like Kelluu. There’s a ready-made ecosystem to step into here, and the right people to start building with quickly. Our vision of persistent autonomy in Canada begins right here,” said Janne Hietala, CEO of Kelluu.
“From day one, Invest Ottawa has made us feel welcome. Their expertise, local network, and hands-on support have been invaluable in getting Kelluu’s Canadian operations off the ground,” added Niko Kuikka, Kelluu’s Head of Engineering.
The Invest Ottawa Advantage
Through Invest Ottawa’s Global Expansion program, Kelluu is establishing its Canadian office within a defence and security ecosystem that few cities in the world can match, giving the company direct access to the government, defence, and research partners most relevant to its growth.
On the ground, Area X.O provides Kelluu with the physical space, testing infrastructure, and hands-on ecosystem support to move quickly from validation to operational integration, part of a broader trend of global defence-technology companies scaling into the North American market through Canada’s Capital.
Strengthening the Canada–Finland Defence Partnership
Kelluu’s arrival in Ottawa represents more than one company’s expansion. It marks a deepening partnership between two nations with shared Arctic interests, and positions Kelluu, with its Arctic-proven technology and NATO-backed momentum, to become a long-term contributor to Ottawa’s defence and security ecosystem.
Interested in scaling your global company in Canada’s capital?
Explore how Invest Ottawa’s Global Expansion team supports foreign direct investment, talent growth, and long-term success in one of North America’s most concentrated tech ecosystems.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Ottawa, ON – July 27, 2026 – Kelluu, the Finnish company behind the world’s largest autonomous airship fleet, is expanding into Canada.
The new location is at Area X.O in Ottawa, Canada’s national hub for defence innovation. It brings together world-class industry, government, the Canadian Armed Forces, and research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of next-generation capabilities.
“We are pleased to welcome Kelluu to Canada’s defence and security ecosystem and look forward to strengthening collaboration between Canada and Finland as we advance innovation for Arctic security, resilience, and operational readiness,” said Jens Michael Schaal, Vice President at Invest Ottawa.
In a country where distances are vast and the climate is unforgiving, Kelluu’s lighter-than-air technology is a natural fit. The company aims to advance Canadian Arctic autonomy with technology built and tested for cold conditions.
“From day one, Invest Ottawa has made us feel welcome. Their expertise, local network, and hands-on support have been
invaluable in getting Kelluu’s Canadian operations off the ground,” said Niko Kuikka, Kelluu’s Head of Engineering.
The expansion deepens the partnership between two Arctic nations. The move draws the countries’ technology and defence ties closer together as both face new security challenges and Canada’s role as a guardian of the Arctic grows.
“Canada and Area X.O in Ottawa offer an ideal platform for growing a company like Kelluu. There’s a ready-made ecosystem to step into here, and the right people to start building with quickly. Finland and Canada share a deep understanding of what it takes to operate in Arctic conditions. Our vision of persistent autonomy in Canada begins right here,” said Janne Hietala, CEO of Kelluu.
Canada is investing in security. At NATO’s Hague summit, the country committed to raising its defence spending to five percent of GDP by 2035. Billions of that are earmarked for Arctic infrastructure and northern operations.
Kelluu’s technology has been tested in multiple NATO exercises. These have confirmed Kelluu’s interoperability with NATO systems, its ability to build accurate situational awareness in GNSS-jammed areas, its operational capability in Arctic and highly demanding conditions, and functions such as serving as a mobile 5G base station. Kelluu was one of 15 companies selected from 2,600 applicants for the second phase of NATO’s DIANA program, and is the only Finnish company funded by the NATO Innovation Fund.
About Kelluu
Kelluu is a Finnish technology company that delivers persistent aerial autonomy as a service to customers in the defence, critical infrastructure and environmental sectors. It operates the world’s largest fleet of autonomous airships and produces accurate real-time situational awareness and digital twins. The technology has been tested in Arctic conditions and in GNSS-denied environments.
Ottawa, ON – July 21, 2026 – The Government of Canada has awarded a six-year, $1.1-billion contract extension to Ottawa-based Babcock Canada, keeping the company at the helm of the nation’s only industry-led submarine sustainment enterprise.
The extension of the Victoria In-Service Support Contract (VISSC) ensures uninterrupted support for the Royal Canadian Navy’s four Victoria-class submarines as Canada simultaneously advances its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), which will see up to 12 new patrol submarines enter service in the 2030s. The contract includes options to extend support through the Victoria fleet’s end of life, giving Canada’s submarine workforce continuity of work as the CPSP progresses from procurement to delivery.
Canada’s Submarine Sustainment Enterprise
Babcock Canada has been prime contractor on the VISSC for more than 18 years, building what the company describes as Canada’s only sovereign submarine sustainment capability. During that period, Babcock and its network of Canadian partners completed three extended docking work periods on the Victoria-class fleet, integrating systems including the Mk 48 MOD 7AT torpedo, a modern Submarine External Communications System and a Universal Modular Mast capability.
The economic reach of the contract is substantial. Since 2008, VISSC work has contributed more than $3.2 billion in GDP impact to Canada, maintained more than 1,500 jobs annually and engaged more than 450 Canadian suppliers from coast to coast, including small and medium-sized businesses, universities, colleges and Indigenous communities.
Bridging Two Submarine Generations
On July 6, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that TKMS (thyssenkrupp Marine Systems) had been selected as the preferred supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, the largest defence procurement in Canadian history. Babcock Canada has already signed a teaming agreement with TKMS, positioning itself as the in-service support partner for the new fleet.
The VISSC extension reinforces that positioning. A specialized workforce and supply chain built over nearly two decades around the Victoria class would take years to reconstitute if allowed to wind down. Keeping it active through the CPSP transition preserves a sovereign capability at the moment Canada most needs submarine readiness.
Quotes
“Supporting the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy with a safe and capable submarine fleet is something Babcock is hugely proud of, and this contract extension continues our longstanding partnership and delivery of this important sovereign and strategic capability. The extension builds on our core position as Canada’s submarine sustainment partner delivering world-class support and will drive enhanced outcomes for the existing Victoria-class fleet. It will also enable Canada’s submarine sustainment enterprise to achieve a smooth transition to Canada’s future submarine capability.”— Tony March, Chief Executive Officer, Babcock Canada, in a Newswire.ca press release
A Growing Moment for Canadian Defence Technology
Today’s announcement is another signal of the depth of Canada’s defence industrial base. With 330+ defence and aerospace companies more than 10,000 defence and security professionals in the Ottawa–Gatineau region, Canada’s Capital Region supports the country’s full submarine lifecycle: from procurement to sustainment and eventual fleet transition.
Invest Ottawa’s Defence Innovation Hub (DI Hub) is working alongside industry, government and allied partners to ensure Ottawa–Gatineau remains a centre of gravity for Canada’s growing defence economy. As Canada moves toward spending five per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, contracts like the VISSC extension demonstrate how that investment flows into Canadian jobs, sovereign capability and communities from coast to coast.
Babcock Canada Inc., headquartered at 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, is the Prime Contractor of the Victoria In-Service Support Contract. A subsidiary of Babcock International Group, the company delivers submarine sustainment, aerial wildfire suppression, air ambulance services, technology and systems integration, and design, development and manufacturing programs for Canadian defence and public-safety clients. Learn more at babcockcanada.com.
July 9, 2026 — At the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7, Prime Minister Mark Carney joined leaders from eight allied nations to sign a declaration confirming their shared intention to establish the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB).
The announcement marks a significant milestone for a first-of-its-kind multilateral financial institution designed to mobilise public and private capital in support of collective defence, security, and resilience priorities.
Canada has been confirmed as the host country for the DSRB’s future headquarters, following the successful conclusion of founding Articles of Agreement negotiations in Montréal in April 2026.
The DSRB is expected to commence operations as early as 2027.
The DSRB will provide long-term, low-cost financing for defence, security, and resilience initiatives across supply chains, helping governments and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) address critical financing gaps, expand industrial capacity, and accelerate production.
It will offer guarantees that increase the availability of affordable capital and loans to member countries for priority investments, complementing rather than duplicating existing national and multilateral instruments.
For Canada’s defence sector, which includes more than 530 firms, directly accounts for 37,700 jobs, and contributed $8.6 billion to GDP in 2024, the DSRB represents a significant opportunity to scale, access new markets, and compete in emerging sectors from artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum to space and cyber.
“The Defence, Security and Resilience Bank will unlock investment, strengthen our defence industrial base, and ensure that Canada and our Allies have the capacity to meet the challenges of a more dangerous and divided world together,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a release posted to the PMO website.
Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne highlighted the opportunity for Canadian industry: “By supporting SMEs in scaling up and seizing new opportunities, the Bank will strengthen our collective capacity to produce and export defence capabilities in response to growing global demand,” as quoted in the same release.
Why Ottawa-Gatineau Is a Strong Candidate
With Canada confirmed as host country, the federal government will determine which Canadian city will serve as the DSRB’s permanent headquarters. Ottawa-Gatineau has put forward a compelling case.
As Canada’s National Capital Region, Ottawa-Gatineau offers direct proximity to the federal defence decision-makers, procurement officials, and policy institutions the DSRB will need to engage with daily. More than 130 embassies and high commissions, alongside military attachés from NATO and allied nations, are already embedded in the region, providing the kind of allied diplomatic access no other Canadian city can match.
Mayors Mark Sutcliffe and Maude Marquis-Bissonnette have joined a broad coalition of regional leaders and defence industry voices in making the case directly to the federal government. As they have noted, the DSRB is not a conventional financial institution, it is a defence institution with a banking mandate, and its effectiveness will depend on daily proximity to the people and institutions it exists to serve.
What This Means for Ottawa’s Defence Ecosystem
The DSRB’s potential arrival in Ottawa-Gatineau would be a significant accelerant for the region’s emerging defence cluster, bringing international allied engagement, defence finance expertise, and new institutional infrastructure to a community already building the capacity to support it.
Invest Ottawa is actively engaged in making the case for Ottawa-Gatineau as the DSRB’s home. To learn more about defence innovation in the National Capital Region, visit the Defence Innovation Hub.
July in Ottawa means summer in full swing. From Canada Day celebrations kicking off the month to outdoor festivals, evening strolls along the canal, and patios that stay busy beyond sunset, it’s one of the best times of year to be in the city.
The energy extends into Ottawa’s tech sector, where companies across AI, maritime intelligence, architecture technology, and more continue to grow their teams.
Whether you’re looking to make a move or just starting to explore your options, there’s no shortage of exciting roles to consider.
Here are 10 Ottawa global tech companies hiring in July 2026.
Founded in 2003, Aversan is a trusted engineering and electronics manufacturing firm specializing in the design, development and delivery of safety-critical ruggedized embedded systems for customers in highly regulated industries such as defence, aerospace and space. Aversan’s subject matter experts are an extension of our customer’s team, supporting them from idea concept, design, development, verification and validation, certification support, test automation (ATE & SILs), manufacturing and aftermarket services. We support our customers through staff augmentation, work packages and full turnkey solutions. Guided by values of innovation, reliability, and transparency, Aversan strives to create a positive impact on the lives we touch through the work we do.
The perks:
Employees at Aversan enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, flexible work hours, professional growth opportunities, team and social events, catered lunches, engaging employee clubs, and a collaborative environment that values innovation, balance, and continuous learning.
Babcock Canada delivers advanced engineering support and mission-critical services across defence and aviation sectors. From sustaining Canada’s Victoria-class submarine fleet to providing specialized training for Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, this company plays an essential role in national security. With a global parent organization and a strong Canadian presence headquartered in Ottawa, Babcock offers challenging work that directly supports government and industry clients.
The perks:
Employees enjoy competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, extended health and dental benefits, paid vacation and personal days, and matched retirement contributions. Babcock also prioritizes professional growth through training, mentorship, and career development programs while emphasizing safety, innovation, and teamwork.
Formed in 1982 in Ottawa, Calian is a technology consulting firm that offers innovative healthcare, communications, learning, and cybersecurity solutions. For more than 40 years, Calian has been helping the world communicate, innovate, learn and lead safe and healthy lives. Calian has a global workforce of over 5,800 employees and serves clients across more than 12 industries including healthcare, defense and security, and space and satellite communications.
The perks:
Calian offers a competitive compensation package and plenty of perks that include comprehensive health medical benefits, health and wellness benefits, financial and retirement planning opportunities, paid time off and vacations, and professional development opportunities.
CGI is a global leader in IT and business consulting, helping organizations accelerate digital transformation while driving measurable returns on investment. Their offerings span business consulting, process services, managed IT and infrastructure, cloud and hybrid-IT, data analytics, AI, and system integration. By combining human ingenuity with advanced technology, CGI delivers outcome-focused, scalable, and sustainable solutions—locally tailored yet backed by global expertise.
The perks:
CGI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with life, disability, and accident coverage. Employees also have access to flexible spending and health savings accounts, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Retirement support comes through a 401(k) plan with company matching, profit participation, and long-term financial security programs. Additional perks include paid vacation, sick leave, parental and adoption leave, wellness and telehealth programs, pet insurance, employee discounts, volunteer time off, and access to PerkSpot savings on everyday goods and services.
DIALOG is a North American architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning firm operating from the belief that great design can change the world. With studios across Canada and in San Francisco, its multidisciplinary teams collaborate on landmark civic, healthcare, education, housing, and commercial projects, from mass timber office buildings to cancer treatment centres to urban wildlife overpasses. Named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Architecture Companies of 2026 and a World Economic Forum partner, DIALOG brought its design-forward, technology-integrated practice to Canada’s capital in 2026, opening its Ottawa studio near LeBreton Flats.
The perks:
DIALOGers benefit from competitive salaries benchmarked annually to the industry, performance bonuses for registered professionals and management, and comprehensive health and dental benefits starting on day one. The firm offers a Group Retirement Program with both RRSP and TFSA options, an Employee Assistance Program, transit subsidies, and secure bike storage. DIALOG also invests in growth and culture through its award-winning Integrateducation™ learning program, the Iris Prize (a $7,500 grant plus two weeks of paid leave for original research), and the annual Aspire national design pin-up. As a B Corp certified organization and Canada’s Greenest Employer for 2025 and 2026, it’s a studio where meaningful work and a strong culture go hand in hand.
Fullscript, founded and headquartered in Ottawa, is setting a new standard for healthcare — one that puts the whole person at the center. The platform connects diagnostics, treatment plans, supplements, and support into one seamless experience, helping providers deliver personalized care that lasts.
Trusted by over 100,000 practitioners and 5 million patients across North America, Fullscript is helping people get better — and making healthcare whole.
The perks:
Fullscript offers hybrid flexibility with offices in downtown Ottawa and Kanata (featured in OBJ’s Best Offices Ottawa series), competitive total rewards and stock options, premium health benefits with HSA support and a wellness stipend, exclusive wellness discounts, continuous learning opportunities, and regular company events focused on moments that matter, including Fullhouse, Hackathon, team meetups, and more.
Fusion Fuel Cycles is a joint venture between Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Kyoto Fusioneering focused on advancing fusion energy by developing the critical fuel cycle technologies that make safe, high-performance fusion power possible. The company supplies integrated systems and expert services from design through commissioning, enabling more efficient fuel handling, tritium management, and heat transfer for commercial fusion projects around the world.
The perks:
At FFC, teams work on cutting-edge clean energy solutions with real global impact in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment. Employees have the opportunity to tackle technically complex challenges alongside world-class experts in fusion and nuclear science. FFC’s culture emphasizes growth, purpose, and creativity, offering a chance to shape the future of energy technologies and advance your career in a rapidly expanding sector.
Global Spatial Technology Solutions (GSTS) is a global maritime intelligence company developing AI-powered solutions to enhance safety, security, efficiency, and environmental sustainability at sea. Its core platform, OCIANA®, delivers real-time decision-making intelligence to ports, terminal operators, shipping lines, and defence and coast guard agencies worldwide, serving two key areas: maritime defence and security, and supply chain management.
Born as a spinout from the space industry, GSTS brings satellite data expertise to some of the most complex challenges in global shipping and ocean protection.
The perks:
GSTS offers competitive salaries, generous paid time off, and 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage, along with an annual health and wellness spending account. Employees also receive an annual professional development budget, a one-time tech allowance, and access to mental health resources through an employer-sponsored Employee and Family Assistance Program. It is a mission-driven team united by a shared purpose: building technology that saves lives, reduces energy consumption, and protects the environment on a global scale.
Kongsberg Geospatial, based in Ottawa, Canada, specializes in real-time, mission-critical geospatial software solutions. The company builds precision software for mapping, geospatial visualization, and situational awareness with a focus on creating high-performance, real-time components for mission-critical applications. Its TerraLens® platform is the world’s most trusted geospatial software for critical infrastructure projects and technology. With over three decades of providing dependable performance under extreme conditions, Kongsberg Geospatial has become the leading geospatial technology provider for mission-critical applications where lives are on the line.
The perks:
In addition to a competitive compensation package and stimulating and innovative work, the company offers flexible work hours, a company pension scheme, paid maternity and paternity leave, two weeks of paid paternity care leave after childbirth, a company phone, various welfare leave arrangements, and health, life, and disability insurance coverage.
SurveyMonkey Canada Inc. is the Canadian arm of the world’s most popular platform for surveys and forms, built for business and loved by users. The company combines powerful capabilities with intuitive design to support every use case, from customer experience and employee engagement to market research, payments, and registration forms. Its built-in research expertise and AI-powered technology help organizations across industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, gather insights and information that inspire better decisions, create experiences people love, and drive business growth
The perks:
SurveyMonkey provides comprehensive benefits, high-quality medical, dental, and vision plans, generous time off, parental leave and family-forming benefits, sabbatical leave after 5 years of service, and professional development opportunities. Additional benefits include a matching retirement savings plan, lifestyle spending account (C.H.O.I.C.E. Fund), mental health support and resources, social recognition platform, and a matching gift program.
Current job openings:
Senior Software Engineer 1, SMB Account Executive. Details and more available on the company’s career page.
Interested in hearing more about tech opportunities in Ottawa? Follow the Work in Ottawa LinkedIn page.
Are you a technology company looking for tech talent to fill important roles? We have hundreds of skilled technology candidates. Let us know how we can help.
As fusion energy moves closer to commercialization, the search is on for skilled talent that can help make it happen.
From advanced engineering to emerging fuel cycle systems, the next generation of innovators are playing a critical role in shaping the future of clean energy. In Ottawa, that future is being built not only through innovative companies within the ecosystem, but through students and early-career professionals gaining hands-on experience within them.
Through Invest Ottawa’s Talent Services, students are connecting with leading companies and contributing to some of the most complex challenges in energy today.
From Classroom to Cutting-Edge Innovation
For Cece Zhou, a co-op student from Queen’s University currently in her final year of a dual Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science in Physics, the opportunity to join Fusion Fuel Cycles (FFC) through an internship opportunity offered a direct pathway into the world of fusion.
Drawn by both the complexity of the field and a long-standing interest in clean energy, Zhou saw the role as a chance to engage with one of the most challenging areas of innovation.
Queen’s University co-op student Cece Zhou.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve been passionate about clean energy, and fusion has always felt like a mysterious, highly specialized field,” she explained. “The challenge it aims to solve is one of the most complex in the world, so I was genuinely excited when I learned about this opportunity and about the work Fusion Fuel Cycles is doing.”
Cece noted that while many companies focus solely on core fusion technology, FFC takes a broader approach, making it a particularly compelling place to build early-career experience.
“While many companies focus solely on the core fusion technology, FFC stands out by addressing the balance-of-plant (BOP) systems. It feels like assembling a puzzle and waiting for the final piece,” she said.
“FFC is technology-agnostic, and once any core fusion technology becomes commercially ready, FFC’s solutions can help bring fusion energy to the world as quickly as possible.”
Choosing Ottawa for Opportunity and Experience
As working with FFC was the primary driver in taking on the role, relocating to Ottawa became an important part of the experience, allowing Zhou to fully engage with the company culture and learn from the knowledgeable personnel onsite.
“I wanted to be close to the team, immerse myself in the company culture, and learn from the people at FFC,” she said. “Since FFC is a very international and diverse organization with scientists and engineers from many different countries, I felt that being onsite would give me the best opportunity to grow and learn.”
With accessible housing options and a well-connected city, the student found the transition to Ottawa to be smooth and easier than expected.
The Fusion Fuel Cycles team posing for a group photo in Ottawa at Bayview Yards.
Experiencing Ottawa’s Unique Lifestyle
Beyond the workplace, making the move to Ottawa during the winter months offered Zhou a distinct lifestyle experience, blending urban convenience with access to fun outdoor activities, contributing to a well-rounded and adventurous winter experience.
“I’ve been skating on the canal on weekends, and sometimes even skating home from work. That’s a completely new experience for me, and I’m not sure you can do that anywhere else in the world.”
“I’ve also been skiing on weekends at Camp Fortune,” she added. “I love skiing, and I’m so grateful that there’s a cute ski hill so close to Ottawa.”
Zhou also pointed to the city’s pace and culture as a standout aspect of living in Ottawa, noting that people “really take the time to slow down and enjoy life.”
Developing Skills in a High-Growth Industry
Working within a rapidly evolving company has provided exposure to both specialized technical knowledge and broader career development opportunities.
“I think that in my current role, I’m definitely gaining knowledge in a very specialized area, which aligns closely with my professional development goals,” she said.
An image of Fusion Fuel Cycles’ Unity-2 fusion fuel cycle.
“Every day, I’m exposed to complex concepts in the fusion industry, and being able to learn about such advanced topics in a niche field has been incredibly valuable. Throughout this process, I’ve also been building strong analytical skills, whether it’s interpreting technical data or understanding engineering processes.”
She added that the experience has also provided insight into the pace of growth within the fusion sector and the opportunities that come with it.
“I think this is extremely exciting. I joined FFC about five or six weeks ago, and almost every week I’ve heard about new people joining or wanting to join the company,” they said.
“Working in a growing company definitely excites me because it shows that the fusion industry is expanding. After many years of slow progress, the industry is finally growing at a faster pace than ever.”
Looking Ahead
Experiences like this are shaping how emerging talent views both their careers and the role Ottawa can play in them.
Through hands-on work in globally relevant sectors, students are contributing to innovation today while building the foundation for long-term careers in industries like clean energy and advanced engineering.
For those considering a similar path, Zhao’s advice is clear:
“My advice for students or early-career professionals considering a move to Ottawa is: don’t hesitate, take the opportunity,” they said. “Ottawa is a great city, and the cost of living is comparatively lower than places like Toronto or Vancouver. And not just Ottawa, if you ever have the chance to move to a new city for a good opportunity, you should go for it.”
Fueling Talent for a Global Future
As companies like Fusion Fuel Cycles continue to grow in Ottawa, access to top talent remains a critical factor in scaling innovation.
Invest Ottawa’s Talent Services team connects companies with professionals ready to contribute from day one, helping build the workforce that will power the next generation of global industries.
Learn More
Discover how Invest Ottawa’s Talent Services connect companies with top talent to support growth and innovation in Canada’s capital. Learn more here.
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Embedded software engineer
Embedded software in high demand with Crank Software:
Crank Software helps easily develop and embed UI designs. With over 350 clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies, Crank Software has helped launch 500 million UIs. A day in the life of a Software Developer at Crank Software includes becoming an expert on its award-winning platform, Storyboard, and developing interface layers from UI to backend code. Taking home an award as one of Ottawa’s best places to work at the 2018-2019 Employee’s Choice Awards, a career at Crank Software is sure to be fun and rewarding.
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Kivuto helps schools go digital. Kivuto Cloud streamlines the management of educational resources such as e–texts and license keys, saving 20K+ schools an average of $50K. Kivuto partnered with educational giant Pearson in 2019 to bring digital education resources to academic institutions. A passion for education paired with skills in .NET Core Web API, AWS, Azure, React, SQL, and other tools and technologies make Kivuto a great place to grow your DevOps or Fullstack Engineering career.
Rewind Backups provides automated backup services, so businesses don’t lose their hard work.The development team at Rewind is made up of four teams of two to three people. Developers implement, test, document, and maintain back-end systems for high-traffic back-up services, delivering quality code and improving the development and deployment processes using AWS. A day at Rewind on the development team could look like anything from supporting Shopify’s new bulk APIs to creating Rewind-Connect; a wrapper for AWS SSM for connecting to Rewind staging and production systems. As the winner of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Employee Choice Award two years in a row, Rewind is an ideal place to work and grow.
Recently securing $10M in financing, Tehama is on the cutting edge of developing tools for the remote workforce. Tehama’s service delivery platform enables organizations to easily onboard, manage and scale a distributed workforce in a secure way. 150 companies are using Tehama. 600,000+ hours of IT services delivered. Zero breaches. Under the leadership of VP Engineering, Jacopo Toccacieli, you’ll be working as part of Tehama’s agile development team and immersed in developing new features for its cloud-based solutions. This will include helping define company-wide API standards, working in React and Angular, and having the ability to work with SQL. You’ll have the option to work remotely or at Tehama’s beautiful offices in the heart of Westboro, steps from some of the best shopping, coffee shops and restaurants in Ottawa.
Mobile developers are in high demand with these companies:
Field Effect monitors cyber threats. Amongst many organizations who trust Field Effort to safeguard their cybersecurity, Canadian Internet Registration Agency (CIRA) teamed up with this scaling Ottawa firm to deploy its new API. Talents with an agile and test-driven approach as well as skills in C/C++, Objective-C, and Java are invaluable in helping build and improve Field Effect’s key security products: Covalence, Cyber Range, and Noble. As one of the top Ottawa employers who scored the highest in the Employee Net Promotor Score Initiative commissioned by Invest Ottawa’s Scale-Up program, Field Effect is appreciated by its employees for its commitments to transparency, trust and openness.
Foko Retail helps retail stores manage tasks. Used by 60+ of the largest names in retail including Nike and Dyson, Foko Retail’s mobile-based task management software is easy to use from operations to visual merchandising. With a growing user base, Foko Retail is looking for mobile developers that are adaptable and passionate about retail and SaaS. While Foko Retail’s culture can be relaxed with office dogs and casual attire, it means business when it comes to its team, customers, and products. A competitive salary and benefits package doesn’thurt either.
Shoebox enables hearing care around the world. It creates, sells, and supports products that help clinicians identify hearing loss. The maker of Shoebox, Clearwater Clinical, hit a huge milestone in 2018 when they entered a strategic partnership with international hearing device company Sivantos. Shoebox lives by the work hard play hard ethos, and offers an array of benefits, team sports, bean bag chairs, and video games at their Glebe Annex office. If you want to be part of a team that does well by doing good, Shoebox is looking for developers with first-hand experience in AWS hosted solutions.
Full stack developers are in high demand with these companies:
BitHeads builds custom software solutions. With an impressive roster of over 500 projects delivered to Fortune 1000 companies, a career with BitHeads is dynamic with so much room to learn and grow. You could be working on projects ranging from designing an interface for a leading forensic ballistics company to building support for a mobile game with 10 million active users— it’s truly different every day. Whether you are a full stack, server-side, or front-end developer, or prefer to validate developed software, BitHeads is in constant need of skilled resources to build games, apps, and backend support.
Field Effect monitors cyber threats. Amongst many organizations who trust Field Effort to safeguard their cybersecurity, Canadian Internet Registration Agency (CIRA) teamed up with this scaling Ottawa firm to deploy its new API. Talents with an agile and test-driven approach as well as skills in C/C++, Objective-C, and Java are invaluable in helping build and improve Field Effect’s key security products: Covalence, Cyber Range, and Noble. As one of the top Ottawa employers who scored the highest in the Employee Net Promotor Score Initiative commissioned by Invest Ottawa’s Scale-Up program, Field Effect is appreciated by its employees for its commitments to transparency, trust and openness.
Rewind Backups provides automated backup services, so businesses don’t lose their hard work.The development team at Rewind is made up of four teams of two to three people. Developers implement, test, document, and maintain back-end systems for high-traffic back-up services, delivering quality code and improving the development and deployment processes using AWS. A day at Rewind on the development team could look like anything from supporting Shopify’s new bulk APIs to creating Rewind-Connect; a wrapper for AWS SSM for connecting to Rewind staging and production systems. As the winner of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Employee Choice Award two years in a row, Rewind is an ideal place to work and grow.
Recently securing$10M in financing, Tehama is on the cutting edge of developing tools for the remote workforce. Tehama’sservice delivery platform enables organizations to easily onboard, manage and scale a distributed workforce in a secure way. 150 companies are using Tehama. 600,000+ hours of IT services delivered. Zero breaches. Under the leadership of VP Engineering, Jacopo Toccacieli, you’ll be working as part of Tehama’s agile development team and immersed in developing new features for its cloud–based solutions. This will include helping define company-wide API standards, working in React and Angular, and having the ability to work with SQL. You’ll have the option to work remotely or at Tehama’sbeautiful offices in the heart of Westboro, steps from some of the best shopping, coffee shops and restaurants in Ottawa.
Data scientists utilize their analytical, statistical, and programming skills to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. They then use this information to develop data-driven solutions to difficult business challenges. Data scientists commonly have a bachelor’s degree in statistics, math, computer science, or economics. Data scientists have a wide range of technical competencies including: statistics and machine learning, coding languages, databases, machine learning, and reporting technologies.
Companies currently hiring data scientists
Transforming our data-driven world takes talent, and MindBridge is where it’s happening. This is where you’ll take artificial intelligence to enable and inspire humans to do more and be better. Our people, our customers, and our investors agree: No one else is accomplishing what we’re doing with data-driven AI right now. Learn more and Apply.
Front-End Software Developer
On the most basic level, software engineers write, debug, maintain, and test software that instructs a computer to accomplish certain tasks, such as saving information, performing calculations, etc. A software engineer will convert what needs to happen into one of many programming languages, the most common of which being Java, C++ and Python.
While many are self taught, most software engineers have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science or computer engineering. The career of a software engineer typically follows one of two primary paths: they either progress through greater responsibility and ownership over technical architecture and systems or they progress into managing teams of software engineers and help orchestrate larger projects and help develop and mentor more junior engineers.
Companies currently hiring front-end developers
Tehama is enabling the digital workplace of the future. 150 companies are using Tehama. 600,000+ hours of IT services delivered. Zero breaches. The company’s head office is in the heart of the highly desirable Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa where you have your pick of the best of Ottawa’s cafes, restaurants and shops. Prefer to work from home? Tehama offers remote working options and flexible core hours. Join a team of the best and brightest and enjoy competitive salaries, benefits and a commitment to YOUR long-term success. Learn more and Apply.
Spartan Bioscience aspires to unleash the power of DNA testing for everyone. Like the Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece, our smart, hard-working, and honorable team members get things done. Learn 10 reasons for joining Spartan and apply today.
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Shoebox enables hearing care around the world. It creates, sells, and supports products that help clinicians identify hearing loss. The maker of Shoebox, Clearwater Clinical, hit a huge milestone in 2018 when they entered a strategic partnership with international hearing device company 
Transforming our data-driven world takes talent, and MindBridge is where it’s happening. This is where you’ll take artificial intelligence to enable and inspire humans to do more and be better. Our people, our customers, and our investors agree: No one else is accomplishing what we’re doing with data-driven AI right now. 
Tehama is enabling the digital workplace of the future. 150 companies are using Tehama. 600,000+ hours of IT services delivered. Zero breaches. The company’s head office is in the heart of the highly desirable Westboro neighborhood of Ottawa where you have your pick of the best of Ottawa’s cafes, restaurants and shops. Prefer to work from home? Tehama offers remote working options and flexible core hours. Join a team of the best and brightest and enjoy competitive salaries, benefits and a commitment to YOUR long-term success. 
Spartan Bioscience aspires to unleash the power of DNA testing for everyone. Like the Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece, our smart, hard-working, and honorable team members get things done. Learn