Instrumentation Software Co-Op

Introduction

VIAVI Solutions is a global leader in both network & service enablement and optical security and performance products and solutions. Our technologies contribute to the success of a wide range of customers – from the world’s largest mobile operators and governmental entities to enterprise network and application providers to contractors laying the fiber and building the towers that keep us connected.

With the deep expertise necessary to deliver unparalleled physical and virtual network intelligence, VIAVI Solutions helps service providers, enterprises, and their ecosystems, to deploy, maintain, optimize, and evolve the most complex and powerful networks on the planet.

Job Description

Our Ottawa division is looking for an energetic student to apprentice as a technical team member within the Software Engineering organization. The position supports Viavi’s fiber-optic lightwave test systems, working closely with R&D, Product Line Management, and Optical Design teams to develop the software that enables, controls, and differentiates advanced photonic instrumentation.

The student will have opportunities to contribute to proof-of-concept investigations, production-quality software, and system-level integrations, spanning embedded interfaces, middleware, scripting, and graphical user interfaces. This role offers exposure to the full lifecycle of technical software—from early experimentation to deployment in shipping products.

The successful candidate will bring a strong mix of abilities including analytical thinking, solid programming fundamentals, curiosity about hardware/software interaction, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines. A strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a willingness to engage with unfamiliar problem spaces are essential.

We are looking to train and invest in a diligent and committed student who is willing to adapt to a wide range of software challenges. The team you will be joining is a focused group of experienced engineers who support a diverse portfolio of optical test platforms and technologies.

Responsibilities

In this role there will be a dual focus on software craftsmanship and system-level understanding. The task is to develop software that connects physical devices, algorithms, and user workflows into robust, usable, and extensible systems that drive innovation at Viavi.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with development of software for optical instrumentation, including embedded interfaces, middleware, and application-level components
• Contribute to proof-of-concept investigations and exploratory prototypes in collaboration with R&D and optics teams
• Develop and maintain production-quality C++ code, with supporting Python scripts for automation, analysis, or tooling
• Assist with development of graphical user interfaces and visualization tools (e.g., using PyQt or similar frameworks)
• Support integration of software with hardware devices, sensors, and test equipment
• Develop test utilities, validation tools, and supporting documentation Participate in debugging, root-cause analysis, and performance investigations across the software stack