Optical Engineer

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.

The role

The Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre (HAA) is seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the conception, development and delivery of advanced optical instrumentation and systems for current and future astronomical observatories. The successful candidate will be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity and will work closely with astronomers, engineers, and technical specialists. The role involves translating scientific and technical requirements into practical engineering solutions, developing optical designs and performance analyses such as tolerancing, stray-light, image quality, throughput, and alignment planning. You will make significant contributions to the design, integration, testing, and verification of complex UV/VIS/NIR optical systems, analyze test results, and recommend design improvements or corrective actions as required.

Working within multidisciplinary teams, the Optical Engineer will collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, scientific, and technical specialists to develop instrument concepts, perform technical trade studies, and guide engineering decisions throughout the instrument lifecycle.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• leading or contributing to strategic research and development activities; 
• investigating and evaluating emerging optical technologies; 
• preparing technical documentation such as optical specifications, interface control documents, test and verification plans, alignment procedures, technical reports, and design review materials; 
• supporting procurement activities, vendor interactions, component evaluation, and acceptance testing. 

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to facility-class astronomical instrumentation, space-based observatories and strategic research and development initiatives, participate in national and international collaborations, and provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to colleagues, students, and junior staff where appropriate.

We welcome applications from candidates at different career stages who can demonstrate strong technical foundations, a commitment to learning, and the potential to contribute to the development of advanced scientific instrumentation.

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

Graduation with a Masters or PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution in Optical Engineering, Physics, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, or another field relevant to the position.

Graduation with a Masters or PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution in Engineering combined with relevant work experience in astronomy or other sectors such as aerospace, space systems, defense, remote sensing, biomedical imaging, photonics, or other precision optical industries may also be considered.

As part of their application package, applicants are required to provide the following:

• Cover Letter 
• Resume
• 2-page Executive Summary: The summary must describe a relevant project, completed from design to delivery, and include key information such as project overview, optical design, modelled performance, tolerance summary, delivered performance, and lessons learned. Applicants should clearly identify their own role and contributions, and focus on the most important technical aspects of the project, including driving requirements, design choices, performance metrics, and verification strategies. Confidential or proprietary details may be anonymized.

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

Experience

• Extensive* experience in optical engineering, including most of the following areas: optical lens design, modelling, performance analysis, tolerancing, procurement, testing, alignment, integration, verification/validation, and optical metrology.
• Significant** experience leading or making substantial technical contributions to at least one optical engineering project through the full lifecycle, including requirements definition, design, integration, testing, verification, and final delivery or acceptance.

* Extensive: Typically 8–10+ years of deep technical experience.
** Significant: Typically 4–5+ years of progressive technical experience. 

The following will be considered as assets:

• Experience developing, integrating, or supporting complex, facility-class scientific instruments, observatory-class astronomical instrumentation, mission-class spaceflight payloads, or large-scale remote sensing systems in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience designing or building spectrographs, spectrometers, or other dispersive optical instruments. (IFU/IFS, MOS, echelle, slit or slitless)
• Experience designing, specifying, procuring, testing, and aligning custom optics such as dispersive elements, aspherics and free-forms.
• Experience with one or more of the following specialized technologies: Adaptive optics, fiber-fed instruments, detector systems, calibration systems, cryogenic optical systems, precision opto-mechanical systems, photonics.
• Experience applying systems engineering practices to complex scientific or engineering projects, including development of performance budgets (wavefront error, throughput, image/pupil quality) requirements management, interface control, verification and validation, risk management, or technical reviews.
• Experience providing technical leadership, including conceptualizing new instruments, leading technical work packages, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, mentoring technical personnel, or influencing technical decisions.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

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

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

• Optical Design Knowledge: Depth and breadth of knowledge in optical engineering theory, design, modelling, and analysis. This may include optical system and lens design; optical modelling and optimization; tolerancing; wavefront, diffraction, image quality, polarization, fibre, or stray-light analysis; optical performance budgeting; radiometric or throughput modelling; coating design; detector performance modelling; and thermal and flexural analyses.
• Instrument Development, Integration and Delivery: Ability to contribute to the integration, testing, verification, and delivery of optical systems or scientific instrumentation. This may include optical alignment and integration; the use of optical metrology, alignment, and diagnostic equipment; development of alignment and test procedures; procurement of custom optical components and assemblies; performance characterization and testing; assembly, integration, and test (AIT) planning and execution; troubleshooting and root-cause analysis; acceptance testing; and interpretation of engineering drawings and optical specifications. 
• Technical Problem Solving and Innovation: Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Software, Modelling, and Analytical Tools: Knowledge of optical design, modelling, simulation, or data-analysis tools to support engineering decisions. (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools).
• Technical Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate technical information and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. This may include experience preparing and presenting technical documentation such as design reports, specifications, procurement documents and drawings, test plans and procedures, verification and validation reports, engineering analyses, design review materials, or technical recommendations.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the AcRO or SRO level, with a salary range of $119,688 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).

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.

About the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre

We are Canada's gateway to the stars. At the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre (HAA), we maintain and operate Canada's largest and most powerful observatories and represent the country in some of the world's leading astronomy initiatives. We are astronomy and astrophysics experts, conducting cutting-edge research, operating Canada's national observatories, providing extensive data management and analysis tools through our Canadian Astronomy Data Centre, supporting activities at international observatories and developing advanced astronomical instruments with industrial partners.

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About DAO

HAA has a rare combination of staff involved in astronomy research, instrumentation design and development, engineering, data science and observatory support. Our facilities are located on two sites: Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, BC, Canada, and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) in Victoria, BC, Canada.

HAA is a leading developer of instrumentation for Canada’s current and future ground- and space-based telescopes at radio through ultraviolet wavelengths, including major facilities such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), the International Gemini Observatory, and Canada’s flagship space telescope: Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research (CASTOR). Current and future ground- and space-based facilities from the UV to radio are represented in our instrumentation development, which includes radio astronomical instrumentation (receivers, correlators, antennas, etc) and UV/visible/near-IR instrumentation (spectrographs, imagers, adaptive optics, precision mechanics, photonics, detectors, etc). Our instrument development activities also include the development of pathfinder instruments and on-sky demonstrators.

HAA is eager to diversify the fields of research represented at our Research Centre. We are committed to ensuring that all staff members promptly receive the accommodation they need to do their job and we understand the importance of work/life balance.

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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.