Research Council Officers (RCO) - Structural Full Scale Testing

Your Challenge

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada's Success.

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada's largest research and technology organization.

We are looking for 2 (two) Research Council Officers (RCO) with skill sets in aerospace applied science / engineering to support our NRC Aerospace Structures, Materials and Performance Laboratory (SMPL) structural integrity team to support our Aerospace Research Centre. The RCOs would be ones who share our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

NRC Aerospace has a mission to provide technical and research services and access to state-of the-art facilities to Canadian businesses to help them grow and to other government departments to support government priority areas, such as RCAF Fleet airworthiness and R&TD support.

The primary purpose of these positions is to provide specialized technical services and support research activities on a potentially wide variety of structural integrity research and development tests and analyses.

In this role, you will:

• Participate in all phases of aerospace structural research and development testing from proposal and scoping, to final reporting and close out, including:
  • Contribute to proposal generation based on client requests;
  • Collaborate with internal / external clients to elaborate appropriate research and test approaches;
  • Prepare and review required engineering documentation, i.e. research / test plans, requirements, reports, presentations, justification notes and memos, analysis files and models, among others;
  • Carry out and presenting analyses of test output and test designs as and when required for project success;
  • Drive problem solving activities and providing technical solutions;
  • Actively participate and guide successful research and development test / analysis activities;
  • Manage and/or participate in projects and maintain appropriate information flows to record and track project schedule, scope and cost;
  • Liaise with internal, external industrial and other government clients;
  • Provide visibility to management as needed.
• Propose, lead, conduct and support independent research and development activities aligned with the strategic goals of the Research Centre, collaborating with universities and partners.
• Provide input into the overall direction and research priorities for the Research Centre within the context of the Research Centre business plan.

Two streams of applicants will be considered for the following positions:

• Stream 1: Junior Research Council Officer (1-year term)
• Stream 2: Intermediate / Senior Research Council Officer (continuing opportunity)

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

B.Eng., B.Sc., B.A.Sc. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

You must meet the following common criteria plus the specific stream criteria identified below:

Stream 1: Junior Position

• Significant** experience in any of structural testing and/or static, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis and / or stress analysis and design of structures (metallic and composite) and/or system components;
• Significant experience using one or more of the following programming languages: Python, C/C++, LabView, MatLab, FORTRAN;
• Experience documenting, writing procedures in English, and analyzing data;
• Experience operating test and data acquisition equipment; and
• Experience working with machine shop equipment and understanding of metallic / composite manufacturing methods.

Stream 2: Intermediate / Senior Position

• Extensive* experience in aerospace with relevant experience in any of structural testing and / or static, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis and / or stress analysis and design of primary structures and system components (metallic and composite);
• Significant** experience in formal reporting in English, through technical documentation, presentations and other publications;
• Significant experience using one or more of the following programming languages: Python, C/C++, LabView, MatLab, FORTRAN to support structural analysis / data analysis and processing;
• Experience in supervision of people, working in multi-disciplinary teams with industrial sector engineers, government and/or academic researchers, technical officers, as well as working with airworthiness certification authorities; and
• Experience in project management, business development, marketing activities, and/or the development of partnerships and collaborations with industries, OGD, international agencies, and academia related to engineering.

*Please note that extensive experience relates to 7+ years of experience.
**Please note that significant experience relates to 2 to 6 years of experience.

Condition of Employment

 Secret (II)

Language Requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

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

Technical Competencies

Common to both Streams 1 and 2:

• Knowledge of solid mechanics, fatigue and fracture, stress analysis, finite element analysis and the ability to apply these competencies to evaluate material and structural behaviour;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly by writing high quality technical reports and papers in English, discussions and through presentations;
• Ability to program in any one or more of the following languages: Python, C/C++, LabView, MatLab, FORTRAN with the goal of producing programs/scripts for data analysis; and using software packages such as MS Software Suite (MS Word, MS Excel);
• Demonstrated ability to self-manage multiple concurrent projects and appropriately direct resources while maintaining project schedules; and
• Knowledge and understanding of closed-loop control systems.

Stream 2 – Intermediate / Senior Position (in addition to the above):

• Advanced knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to design, plan, carry out mechanical testing and test data analysis, including both static and fatigue testing, for aerospace materials and structures;
• Advanced knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics and specifically how it applies to aircraft structural design, failure analysis, structural integrity assessment and certification; and
• Knowledge of aircraft structures, typical structural damage inspection techniques including non-destructive inspection, and structural repair techniques.

The following competencies will be considered as assets for both Streams 1 and 2:

• Proficiency with software packages such as  Matlab / Simulink, CATIAv4 / v5, Autodesk Inventor, MSC Patran/Nastran, NASGRO, AFGROW, Hyperworks;
• Knowledge or capability with MTS test suite software and hardware;
• Knowledge or competency in control theory, controls modelling and hardware-in-the-loop simulation;
• Knowledge of, or ability with structural loads/strain measurement techniques including (but not limited to) load/strain gauge, digital image correlation, and fiber optic strain sensors;
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to determine test aircraft loads using analytical and measurement approaches, development of loads spectrum and related structural test rig design.

Behavioural Competencies

Stream 1

Stream 2

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

This position is classified as a Research Council Officer (RCO), a group that is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $62,071 to $175,466 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level.  As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, vacation, sick, and other leave entitlements, disability insurance and pension plans.

The NRC Advantage

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.

We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you.  Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

At the NRC Employee wellness matters. We offer flexible work schedules as well as part-time work to help employees maintain work-life balance. We are one of the few federal organizations that close our offices during the December holiday season.  We offer professional learning and development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and a suite of mentorship, award and recognition programs. Diversity enables creativity and innovation. Fostering a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and supportive workplace is important to us, and contributes to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process. Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially. 

Help us solve problems for Canada. Grow your career with us today!

Notes

• 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.
• Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter how they meet the education and experience factors listed on the poster. It is recommended that candidates use the education/experience criteria as a header and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating how they meet them by providing concrete examples. 
• Failure to provide an appropriate cover letter will result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information. 
• Occasional national and international travel may be required.
• Overtime will sometimes be required.
• The incumbent is expected to independently work in such environments in a safe manner, with a working-level tolerance to a typical test environment with enhanced noise levels, heat and reduced air quality.
• 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.