Computer Specialist, Data-Driven Systems Programmer

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.

The role

As a Computer Specialist, you will support the design, development and maintenance of data‑driven frameworks and digital tools that integrate sensors, IoT devices, and growth chamber hardware to optimize controlled environment agriculture. You will enable automated monitoring, decision-making, and responsive feedback control systems to improve crop productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability. Through innovation in software engineering, data analytics, and automation technologies, you are intended to advance intelligent agricultural systems for next-generation crop production environments.

Working collaboratively with NRC researchers, engineers, and external partners, you will help establish NRC as a global leader in digital agriculture and controlled environment research.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development of Indoor Smart Farming Frameworks: Designs, develops, and maintains computational frameworks, digital platforms, and software systems that enable indoor smart farming and precision agriculture, ensuring alignment with NRC research objectives and client needs.


• Data Management and Integration: Establishes and maintains robust systems for the acquisition, transfer, processing, and integration of indoor agricultural data from multiple sources (e.g., sensors, IoT devices, imaging devices, growth chambers, crop metrics) to support data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics.


• Technical Support and Troubleshooting: Provides specialized technical support and problem-solving expertise to researchers, engineers, and partners on computing infrastructure, monitoring systems, data pipelines, and analytical tools used in agricultural crop research and development.


• System Optimization and Performance Monitoring: Evaluates and optimizes computing environments and digital agriculture platforms to ensure efficient data flow, security, and system performance across NRC and partner networks.


• Compliance and Data Governance: Ensures that all data handling, storage, and transfer practices comply with NRC’s data governance standards, cybersecurity policies, and relevant legislative frameworks.


• System Integration and Interoperability: Develops and implements solutions for integrating indoor smart farming applications with existing hardware and software systems using APIs, communication protocols, and interoperability standards. Ensures seamless data exchange between growth chamber devices, cloud-based tools, and research platforms.


• Documentation and Reporting: Prepares clear technical documentation, system specifications, and project reports to support reproducibility, transparency, and effective knowledge sharing within the research team and across NRC.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities for technological innovation and improvement in smart farming systems, recommending and implementing solutions that enhance research capabilities and outcomes

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 Master of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Systems Engineering, or related discipline relevant to the position. An acceptable combination of a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field and significant experience (minimum of two years) in systems and data engineering may also be considered

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

Experience

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  *Significant and **recent experience designing, developing, and optimizing data-driven systems integrating sensors, IoT devices, and automated control hardware for controlled or precision environment applications (e.g., growth chambers, greenhouses, vertical farms, or industrial automation systems).

  
  


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  *Significant and **recent experience developing computational frameworks, digital platforms, or software tools that support real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and automated decision-making in research or production environments.

  
  


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  *Significant and **recent experience in system integration and interoperability, including developing APIs, communication protocols, and data pipelines connecting heterogeneous hardware and software systems across cloud, edge, or on-premises infrastructures.

  
  


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  *Significant experience in managing, processing, and analyzing large, multifactorial datasets from environmental sensors, imaging systems, and biological measurements to generate actionable insights for system optimization or predictive modeling.

  
  


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  *Significant and **recent experience in the design, deployment, and calibration of distributed sensor networks and IoT-based monitoring systems for environmental or process control applications.

  
  


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  *Experience in ensuring compliance with data governance, cybersecurity, and FAIR data management practices within research or industrial digital infrastructure.

  
  


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  **Recent experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams involving engineers, data scientists, and domain researchers to deliver integrated, data-driven solutions and digital transformation initiatives.

  
  


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  *Experience in preparing technical documentation, system specifications, and reports to support reproducibility, transparency, and knowledge sharing within collaborative research or development environments.

  
  

   

  
  

*Significant experience is defined as 3 to 5 years of experience.

**Experience is defined as 1 to 2 years.

***Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last 5 years.

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

• Solid knowledge of automated and data-driven systems, including smart technologies, automation and control frameworks, and digital platforms that support real-time monitoring and decision-making.


• Solid knowledge of sensor networks, including the design, deployment, and calibration of distributed sensor arrays for environmental or process monitoring. Skills in configuring and maintaining sensor communication protocols (e.g., MQTT, Modbus, or Zigbee) and integrating sensor data into centralized computing systems.


• Strong knowledge of developing and integrating application programming interfaces (APIs) for communication between heterogeneous hardware and software systems, ensuring interoperability and scalability across platforms (e.g., cloud-based analytics, edge devices, and on-premises control systems).


• Strong knowledge of programming and scripting skills in languages such as Python, C/C++, R, Java, or JavaScript, for data processing and analysis.


• Knowledge of cloud and edge computing platforms for processing, storing, and visualizing large volumes of sensor and environmental data.


• Knowledge of data management and governance principles, including FAIR data practices (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), cybersecurity, and organizational data protection requirements for digital research infrastructure.


• Knowledge of translating complex system requirements into digital solutions, applying system modeling, signal processing, and control algorithms to represent physical or biological processes within computational frameworks.


• Knowledge of networked system architecture, including IoT gateways, edge computing nodes, and secure data transmission across hybrid infrastructures.


• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, user‑focused applications.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Technology Support

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $86,503 to $108,068 per annum. 

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.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.


• 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.