Business Development Officer - Aerospace

The role

We are looking for an intermediate-career Business Development Officer (BDO) to support our Aerospace Research Centre. The BDO would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

This position directly supports NRC’s revenue generation, industry engagement, and leadership in aerospace innovation. The BDO’s work will ensure continuity in critical initiatives, safeguard relationships with Canada’s leading aerospace companies, and contribute to advancing NRC’s strategic objectives in the sector.

The NRC’s Aerospace Research Centre (AERO) is seeking a results-driven Business Development Officer to help transform cutting-edge aerospace research into real-world impact. The incumbent will play role in building partnerships, securing funding, and advancing innovation, with a strong focus on intellectual property (IP) strategy, negotiations, and commercialization to maximize benefits for Canada.

AERO’s world-class facilities and expert teams make us a partner of choice for developing technologies and accelerating their adoption by industry, government, and academia.

As a Business Development Officer, you will:
-    Work closely with program leaders, researchers, technical teams, and the business development team to create impactful partnerships, secure external revenue, and ensure client satisfaction.
-    Develop and execute strategies to engage industry, government, and academic partners in collaborative research, technology development, and commercialization projects.
-    Identify business opportunities in aerospace technologies, balancing client needs with NRC’s value proposition.
-    Provide market intelligence and strategic advice to NRC leadership, contributing to business and strategic plans.
-    Lead complex strategic initiatives, coordinating with internal research teams and external stakeholders.
-    Lead complex negotiations for collaborative R&D agreements, technical services, and intellectual property commercialization outreach and licensing
-    Collaborate with researchers and NRC’s IP committee to assess commercialization potential, structure deals, and secure agreements that deliver economic and societal benefits.
-    Represent NRC at aerospace industry events, promoting our expertise and capabilities.

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 Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.

Master’s degree in Business Administration or other relevant graduate qualifications is an asset.

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

Experience

• Significant experience (at least five years) in engineering or a related technical field, combined with experience in business development, client relationship management, or contract negotiation.
• Significant experience leading and negotiating complex collaborative research and development (R&D) agreements, including those involving intellectual property (IP) considerations.
• Experience developing and implementing commercialization strategies, including IP management and technology transfer agreements with industrial partners.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating multiple stakeholder interests across organizations.
• Experience in building strategic partnerships and advancing collaborative initiatives between research organizations, industry, and government stakeholders.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB  or CBC/CBC.

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 aerospace technologies, market dynamics, and emerging trends in Canada and globally.
• Strong understanding of the Canadian aerospace ecosystem, particularly Quebec’s industrial and research landscape.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders across industry, government, and academia.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify, assess, and align business opportunities with NRC’s priorities, capabilities, and long-term objectives.
• Proven ability to meet or exceed business development, revenue, or partnership targets.
  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate market intelligence and technology trends into actionable business opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to prepare persuasive proposals, presentations, and partnership materials.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams, fostering collaboration across technical and business domains.
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.
• Knowledge of contract review and negotiation processes related to research, development, and commercialization initiatives.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-2 to RCO-4 level, which is an intermediate-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $168,192. 

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).

In addition, the incumbent will receive the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 per year.

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.

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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 leading research and technology 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.