Drone and Counter-Drone Software and Hardware Integration

Anything is possible at the NRC named in 2025 one of Canadas Top Employers for Young People Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canadas Best Employers!

As Canadas largest research and innovation organization our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canadas future and the world.

At the NRC youll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. Youll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly youll discover whats possible within you as you grow make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career discover your possible at the NRC.

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canadas Defence Industrial Strategy accelerating research and innovation and helping Canadian businesses develop leading-edge technologies for civilian and military use.

With expertise across fields such as transportation quantum science medical countermeasures and advanced manufacturing the NRC is hiring to drive the development of national sovereign defence capabilities. The following role will support the NRCs contributions to defence priorities.

We are looking for a Technical Officer to support hands-on software and hardware integration activities for drone and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) technologies for our Aerospace Research Centre. The successful candidate will have practical technical experience with UAS platforms robotic systems onboard computers sensors payloads communication equipment or related laboratory and field-test systems. You would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity Excellence Respect and Creativity.

This position is part of the NRC Aerospace Research Centres Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab which supports Canadas national C-UAS research and technology development mandate. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team of researchers engineers software developers technical staff and industry and government partners to support the implementation integration testing and documentation of drone and C-UAS capabilities in laboratory and field-test environments.

The UAS/C-UAS team provides an applied and instrumented environment for the implementation integration and validation of dual-use drone and Counter-UAS technologies. The laboratory supports dual-use research and applied technology development spanning UAS autonomy C-UAS detection and monitoring sensor integration operator-facing software experimental payloads ground-based sensing systems and field-deployable drone and counter-drone capabilities.

Working with other members of the team the Technical Officer will perform tasks such as:

• Support the setup operation maintenance integration and troubleshooting of drones robotic platforms onboard computers embedded systems sensors payloads communication equipment data-acquisition equipment and laboratory test systems;
• Assist with laboratory experiments simulation activities provide technical and organizational support for drone field tests and demonstrations system checks and data collection involving drones robotics sensors onboard systems or experimental platforms;
• Collect organize and maintain technical data and documentation including logs telemetry video files photos sensor outputs configuration files setup notes wiring notes equipment lists checklists troubleshooting records integration notes and test-support procedures while following applicable laboratory field-test equipment-handling and workplace safety procedures.

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Bachelors degree in electrical engineering technology electronics mechanical engineering technology mechatronics robotics aerospace computer engineering computer science.

Equivalency of a College Diploma in a closely related technical field with relevant substantial experience may be considered.

For information oncertificates and diplomas issued abroad please see Degree equivalency

Candidates should demonstrate experience in some of the following areas:

1. Experience supporting the setup operation maintenance integration and troubleshooting of drones including robotic platforms embedded systems sensors communication equipment electronic equipment data-acquisition systems onboard computers payloads power systems or test equipment;
2. Experience performing hands-on technical work including wiring cabling connector management mounting payload installation equipment configuration onboard-computer setup sensor setup functional checks and troubleshooting;
3. Experience supporting practical system integration activities involving hardware software onboard computing platforms sensors payloads communication interfaces data interfaces power connections and related laboratory or field-test equipment;
4. Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation including setup notes wiring notes configuration records equipment lists test logs checklists troubleshooting records and integration notes;
5. Experience with electrical electronic or mechanical integration tasks such as connector assembly soldering breadboarding circuit testing basic PCB prototyping CAD 3D printing fabrication or prototype assembly;
6. Experience with Linux scripting ROS 2 PX4 ArduPilot MAVLink Gazebo Docker Git or other drone and robotics software tools; and
7. Experience with Drone piloting or a Transport Canada RPAS Pilot Certificate would be considered an asset.

Secret Clearance

A thorough security clearance process will be applied.

For a Secret Clearance verification of background information over a period of 10 years is required. Individuals must have lived in Canada for a sufficient period of time to enable the security screening process.

English or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following technical competencies:

1. Knowledge of hands-on setup integration operation maintenance and troubleshooting of technical systems such as drones robotic platforms onboard computers embedded systems sensors payloads communication equipment power systems data-acquisition systems and laboratory test equipment;
2. Knowledge of practical system integration activities involving hardware software onboard computing platforms sensors payloads communication interfaces data interfaces power connections and related laboratory or field-test equipment including the ability to support setup configuration functional checks and troubleshooting;
3. Knowledge of common laboratory embedded-system and communication interfaces including USB Ethernet serial UART GPIO CAN HDMI CSI telemetry links trigger lines synchronization signals and related data or power connections;
4. Ability to assist with hands-on electrical electronic and mechanical integration tasks including wiring cabling connector assembly soldering breadboarding circuit testing basic PCB prototyping mounting CAD 3D printing fabrication workshop tools and prototype assembly;
5. Ability to follow technical procedures checklists wiring notes configuration instructions test plans and safety requirements accurately and consistently and to collect organize label and archive technical data such as flight logs telemetry video recordings sensor outputs configuration files software logs photos and test notes;
6. Ability to prepare and maintain clear technical documentation including setup instructions equipment lists wiring notes configuration records test records troubleshooting notes and integration notes; and
7. Familiarity with Linux scripting ROS 2 PX4 ArduPilot MAVLink Gazebo Docker Git or similar drone and robotics software tools would be considered an asset.

For this position the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile:Technology Support

View all competency profiles

From $83435to $107838per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan comprehensive health and dental coverage disability and life insurance office closure at the end of December and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

• In 2025 the NRC was chosen as one of Canadas Top Employers for Young People a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canadas Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRCs directives.
• A pre-qualified listmay be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.