Drone and Counter-Drone Software and Hardware Integration

Discover the possible

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

As Canada’s 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 Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s 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.

Defence Industrial Strategy

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canada's 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 NRC’s contributions to defence priorities.

The role

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 Centre's Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab, which supports Canada's 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.

Screening criteria

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:

Education

Bachelor’s 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 on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

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.

Condition of employment

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. 

Language requirements

English or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

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

Technical competencies

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.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $83,435 to $107,838 per 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.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may 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.