Control System and Instrumentation Specialist, Gas Turbine Laboratory

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 a Control System and Instrumentation Specialist to support the Gas Turbine Laboratory (GTL) for the Aerospace Research Centre (ARC). This position will be filled as part of the Altitude Research Facility (ARF) Group. The selected candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity. 

This position requires an individual that can perform under pressure, have critical problem-solving skills and good awareness of task prioritization and process optimization. The individual must also possess the necessary technical skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain a state-of-the-art industrial environment. 

The Control System and Instrumentation Specialist will be specifically responsible to design, develop, and implement data acquisition and control systems associated with test facilities. You will also be required to troubleshoot, support, maintain, and improve existing data acquisition and control systems. You must have extensive knowledge in LabVIEW® and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The selected individual will also require extensive knowledge in the installation, repair, maintenance and calibration of recording and controlling instruments that measure and control process variables, such as pressure, flow, temperature and humidity.  

In addition to technical duties, the incumbent will also be expected to follow all safety, environmental and regulatory rules applicable to the test facilities and lead ISO 9001 processes associated with the key duties.  

The position may assign duties, overseeing the work and mentoring of junior technical officers.  

The selected individual will work in multi-disciplinary teams that deliver simultaneously on multiple research projects for internal and external clients. The research projects are driven by tight timelines, and as a result, they can vary in technical complexities. The successful applicant should possess exemplary time management skills and must be able to be agile to accommodate rapidly changing work priorities.  

This is an exciting job opportunity for anyone that wants to demonstrate leadership skills combined with technical expertise!

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

A Bachelor’s degree in electrical, automation or process control engineering or similar.

A 3-year college diploma in electrical engineering, electronics, instrumentation or mechatronics technology combined with relevant experience may also be considered.

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

Experience

• Extensive experience in the application of technical principles, state-of-the-art technologies and best practices for design, development, and implementation of automation controls programming, data acquisition and control system troubleshooting;
• Extensive experience in programming and using LabVIEW® in an industrial or research laboratory settings, including real-time and high-speed data acquisition and control, as well as intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMIs) creation; 
• Extensive experience in implementing and managing process control changes;
• Extensive hands-on experience in installation, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting of measuring devices using hand tools and precision instruments;
• Extensive experience in leading and coordinating technical and maintenance activities which might occur simultaneously in multiple test facilities, such as scheduling of tasks, resources, maintenance and training, as well as oversight of laboratory users and purchasing equipment; and 
• Extensive experience in leading client requests under tight schedules, including identifying technical requirements, planning, anticipating potential challenges, and strong troubleshooting abilities concerning the instrumentation and control aspects of projects.

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

• Advanced knowledge of LabVIEW® to program new VIs (Virtual Instruments) and modify existing VIs that support complex research and test programs for aerospace and industrial technologies;
• Advanced knowledge in installation of hardware, configuration, troubleshooting and maintenance of complex-high-channel-count data acquisition and control systems such as PXI, NI® CompactDAQ, Ethernet-enabled I/O devices for process controls as well as communication converters and protocols;
• Advanced knowledge in instrumentation, sensors, transmitters, signal conditioners, transducers, data acquisition hardware for the measurement and recording of process variables including, but not limited to temperature, pressure, flow, vibration, strain; including the required calibration standards and procedures for such measurements;
• Advanced knowledge in the implementation of closed loop PID (Proportional, Integral Derivative) and feedforward controls using motorized, pneumatic, electro-pneumatic and hydraulic components for testing and protection of aircraft engines and combustion systems;
• Advanced knowledge in reading and preparing electrical drawings and P&IDs (Process and Instrumentation Diagram) using CAD tools;
• Solid knowledge in designing and implementing standardized processes, procedures and best practices for quality assurance (ISO 9001-2015), data integrity and protection;
• Solid knowledge of project management principles, processes and use of office programs for word processing, calculation spreadsheets, project planning and slideshow presentations; and
• Solid knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety regulations and legislation required to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment, as well as safety techniques and methods used in industrial facilities.

Assets:

• Proficiency in NI® Lookout and Kepware® Software;
• Proficiency in Programmable Logic Controllers using ControlLogix®;
• Knowledge in gas turbine engines and combustion.
   

Behavioural Competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Research Technician/Technologist; Technology Support

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $87,748 to $103,651 per annum. 

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

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.
• The working conditions are those found in an industrial laboratory with the presence of hazardous materials and situations, including elevated sound levels, varying temperatures and high-pressure process gas piping, Class IV continuous lasers, high power pulsed lasers, combustible liquid fuels and gases, as well poisonous or toxic gases. The incumbents are 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.
• A flexible schedule and overtime will be required from time to time. 
• Willingness to work shifts during special projects.
• Some travelling is required.
• This position is being advertised internally and externally simultaneously, however first consideration will be given to internal NRC applicants.
• Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter how they meet the education and experience factors listed on the poster. Candidates must use the education/experience criteria as a header and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating how they meet them by providing concrete examples.  In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe in detail when, where and how he/she gained the experience.  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.
• 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.