MAPLE Junior Project Engineer

The role

We are looking for a Junior Project Engineer to join the Aerospace Research Centre and support the development, modification, integration, certification, and operation of the NRC’s MAPLE — Medium-long Range Aircraft PLatform for Environmental Research Aircraft Development Project. The successful candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The successful candidate will contribute technical expertise to the development, integration, and testing of scientific instrumentation, software systems, data acquisition systems, and research infrastructure while also supporting project planning, scheduling, coordination, and technical tracking activities under the guidance of the MAPLE Technical Lead.

Working closely with engineers, scientists, technical specialists, and project management staff, you will help ensure that technical activities remain aligned with project objectives, schedules, and deliverables. You will participate in engineering design and development activities while helping coordinate technical work across multidisciplinary teams.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an early-career engineer to gain experience in both engineering and project delivery while contributing to one of Canada's most significant aerospace research initiatives.

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, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Master’s degree or PhD in the same fields would be considered an asset.

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

Experience

• Experience in participating in engineering, technology development, or applied research projects involving design, development, integration, testing, or operational support activities;
• Experience in supporting project coordination activities such as planning, scheduling, tracking actions, monitoring progress, coordinating technical deliverables, identifying risks and dependencies, or facilitating communication among project stakeholders;
• Experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple priorities within a dynamic project environment;
• Experience in communicating technical information through reports, presentations, technical documentation, or interactions with project stakeholders; and
• Experience in one of the following technical domains:

• • Electrical, instrumentation, or systems engineering, including activities such as hardware development, electronics integration, sensors, scientific instrumentation, data acquisition systems, testing, troubleshooting, or system validation; or
  • Software engineering or software development, including activities such as programming, automation, data processing, software tools, control systems, software integration, testing, or technical application development.

Assets:

• Experience serving as a technical coordinator, project coordinator, work-package lead, or similar role within an engineering project;
• Experience with project scheduling, planning, or project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Azure DevOps, Primavera, or equivalent;
• Programming experience using Python or similar languages for automation, scientific computing, or data processing applications;
• Experience with scientific instruments, sensors, avionics, embedded systems, electronics, or data acquisition systems;
• Experience with software development for scientific, engineering, or research applications;
• Experience with systems integration, verification, validation, testing, or troubleshooting activities;
• Experience working in aerospace, laboratory, scientific, or applied research environments;
• Experience with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software such as SolidWorks.

Condition of employment

• Reliability Status

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

• Candidates will be required to work on and around aircraft, scientific instrumentation, test facilities, laboratories, and aircraft hangars;
• Candidates will be required to wear personal protective equipment and participate in integration, testing, and troubleshooting activities in operational environments;
• Must be able to travel across Canada and/or internationally;
• Must be able to fly as aircrew on-board experimental aircraft and be able to access system locations (i.e., confined and/or high places) on aircraft; and
• Must be able to possess and retain the physical capabilities to perform the position which include but may not be limited to: crouching, bending, twisting, walking, climbing stairs & ladders, ability to hear to diagnose technical and operational problems.

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

• Knowledge of electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, or instrumentation principles relevant to research and development projects;
• Ability to contribute to the design, development, integration, testing, and operation of technical systems;
• Understanding of scientific instrumentation, data acquisition systems, software tools, or automation technologies;
• Ability to support project planning, scheduling, technical coordination, and tracking of engineering activities;
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues through systematic troubleshooting and problem solving;
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders;
• Ability to translate technical objectives into actionable tasks and deliverables aligned with project goals and schedules; and
• Knowledge of programming, scripting, automation, or data processing techniques is considered an asset.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profiles: Management Services; Technology Extension

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-1/RCO-2 level, which is a junior-career level position with a salary range of $64,739 to $116,641. 

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 2026 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.
• Overtime may sometimes be required. 
• 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.