Research Officer, Fixed-Wing Controls and Autonomy

The role

We are looking for a Research Officer, Fixed-Wing Controls and Autonomy to support our Aerospace Research Centre. The Research Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity. 

The Aerospace Research Centre is looking to expand its capability in full scale aircraft autonomy. As part of this growth, the successful candidate will provide scientific leadership and technical expertise in the development, testing, and advancement of fixed‑wing flight-control and autonomy technologies for full‑scale aircraft. Working with other members of the team, the Fixed-Wing Controls and Autonomy Research Officer will:

• Develop, implement, and validate fixed‑wing outer‑loop control laws (e.g., altitude‑hold, speed‑hold, heading‑hold) as well as guidance‑loop functions (e.g., path‑following, waypoint‑navigation and other), ensuring proper integration and interfaces with inner‑loop controllers (e.g., roll, pitch, yaw);
• Develop and modify simulation models for flight‑control and autonomy assessment and use them to prototype, test, and refine control‑law algorithms;
• Design, simulate and flight test specialized control system algorithms, such as fixed‑wing auto-taxi, ‑takeoff, and -land;
• Support system‑integration activities, requiring knowledge of avionics architectures, flight‑data recording systems, sensor interfaces, pitot‑static systems (asset), and aircraft control‑system interfaces common in experimental and research aircraft;
• Support field testing, hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop evaluations, including verification of control‑law behavior, in real‑world and simulated environments;
• Prepare technical documentation, including research plans, experiment designs, test reports, interface and integration documentation, and peer‑reviewed publications; represent NRC research at conferences, seminars, and technical working groups;
• The successful candidate will be expected to participate in flight tests of the developed control system algorithms.

The role will guide the establishment and optimization of facilities and competencies to advance autonomous flight innovation and foster Canadian commercialization opportunities. 

The candidate will coordinate closely with the team to ensure effective resource sharing, maximize the impact of new activities, and achieve a “force multiplication” effect through collaboration. This role will also be critical to identify and address gaps, ensuring alignment with client requirements and supporting technology readiness for operational deployment. 

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 graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Robotics with a focus on flight control or autonomous systems.

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

Experience

• Experience in aeronautical or aerospace engineering, particularly in-flight dynamics, flight operations, navigation systems, flight control systems;
• Experience developing, tuning, and validating flight control laws in simulation and real‑time environments, including work with autopilot systems (e.g., drone and/or experimental full-scale aircraft autopilots);
• Experience in Software‑in‑the‑loop (SITL), and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) testing;
• Experience preparing technical documentation, such as test plans, procedures, experiment reports, or research documentation associated with flight‑control development and evaluation, and;
• Experience with fixed-wing aircraft controls is considered an asset.

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

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 flight dynamics, stability, and control, including inner‑loop (roll/pitch/yaw) and outer‑loop (altitude, speed) control laws and guidance functions (path following, waypoint navigation);
• Ability to design, implement, and tune flight control laws in simulation and real‑time environments;
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++ for flight control‑law development, modelling, and simulation;
• Ability to conduct structured engineering and research work, including defining requirements, designing experiments, analyzing data, and documenting procedures, results, and findings;
• Proficiency with Python is considered an asset;
• Knowledge of aviation fundamentals, including IFR procedures, navigation concepts, and flight‑deck symbology relevant to autonomous guidance and control is considered an asset, and;
• Knowledge of avionics, sensors, flight‑data recording, and key aircraft interfaces, including pitot‑static systems and actuator/FBW concepts, is 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.