Research Officer, RPAS Traffic Management (RTM/UTM)

The role

We are looking for a Research Officer in RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) traffic management (RTM) or Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) to support our Aerospace Research Centre in the Centre for Drone Innovation. The Research Officer (RO) would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.  

The new Centre for Drone Innovation is part of the National Research Council of Canada’s Aerospace Research Centre’s Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab. It will strengthen Canada’s ability to research, develop, test and validate advanced drone technologies.

The Centre will be a national research and technology development hub that supports every stage of drone innovation—from design and simulation to prototype building, testing and qualification.

The new facility will include, but not limited to:

• a new drone hangar and operations centre with direct runway access;
• technical laboratories;
• indoor and outdoor flight test arenas;
• secure research spaces for specialized projects.

The Research Officer provides scientific leadership, technical support, and systems oversight in the day-to-day operations of the RPAS and UTM R&D team. 

Working with other members of the team, the Research Officer will:

• Evaluate the current technology landscape, identify technical gaps, and define R&D activities to advance the state of the art in RPAS and airspace integration;
• Design and implement software solutions and novel real-time traffic management (UTM) technologies to support RPAS integration, including deployment and integration testing;
• Work with industry, government, and academic partners to develop, integrate, and demonstrate innovative technical solutions; contribute to joint research proposals and collaborative projects;
• Oversee project budgets, resource allocation, and milestone tracking to ensure timely, on-scope, and on-budget delivery;
• Author, review, and present research plans, technical reports, and peer-reviewed papers; share findings through conferences, seminars, and working groups;
• Provide support for technology deployment, interface validation, and integration testing as required.

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

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline. 

A Master's degree in the same fields may also be considered.

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

Experience

• Experience in aeronautical or aerospace engineering, particularly in air traffic management, flight operations, navigation systems, or aviation research environments;
• Experience with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (RPAS/UAS) operations, regulations or integration challenges within the airspace, including familiarity with U-space concepts, and frameworks from Transport Canada, ICAO, or NAV Canada related to UTM/RTM;
• Experience with systems engineering, simulation environments or traffic management architectures (e.g., RTM, U-space, ATM-X, NASA’s UTM);
• Experience with prototype development, simulation modelling, aviation software or emerging technologies related to aviation;
• Experience developing and implementing UTM systems or applying air traffic management principles such as separation assurance, conflict detection and resolution, and flight planning in practical or research contexts;
• Experience leading and managing research or development projects - including defining project objectives, establishing technical requirements, preparing proposals, overseeing budgets and timelines, and conducting data-driven analyses to evaluate outcomes; and 
• Experience establishing, developing, and maintaining collaborative relationships with industry, government or academic partners to support interdisciplinary research and innovation.

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

• Strong technical proficiency in separation assurance, conflict detection and resolution, flight planning, and situational awareness, with the ability to apply these principles in the design and evaluation of RPAS and UTM systems;
• Proven ability to design, develop, and execute airspace and traffic flow simulations using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or custom UTM frameworks;
• Skilled in software development and data analysis using programming languages such as Python and C++ for algorithm design, system integration, and performance evaluation;
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying cybersecurity concepts relevant to UAS and real-time traffic management systems, including secure communication protocols, data integrity assurance, and threat mitigation strategies; and
• Familiarity with applying AI and ML techniques for UAS traffic prediction, optimization, and anomaly detection would be considered an asset.

Behavioural competencies

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 Officer (RO), 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 $64,739 to $183,010 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 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.

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.

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.
• 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.