Network Telecommunications Specialist

Defence Industrial Strategy

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, accelerating research and innovation, and helping Canadian businesses develop leading-edge technologies for civilian and military use.

With expertise across fields such as transportation, quantum science, medical countermeasures and advanced manufacturing, the NRC is hiring to drive the development of national sovereign defence capabilities. The following role will support the NRC’s contributions to defence priorities.

The role

We are looking for a Network Telecommunications Specialist to support advanced research and development and join the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and RPAS Traffic Management (RTM) team within the Centre for Drone Innovation (CDI) in Mirabel. The new CDI is part of the Aerospace Research Centre’s Drone and Flight Autonomy Laboratory (DFAL). It will strengthen Canada’s ability to research, develop, test and validate advanced drone technologies.

The successful candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.

Working within a multidisciplinary team of engineers, researchers and technicians, the candidate will contribute to the design, development and integration of communication systems enabling reliable command, control and data exchange between unmanned aircraft systems, ground control stations and distributed mission systems. These communication capabilities will support long-distance and beyond visual line-of-sight operations as well as coordinated operations involving multiple autonomous aircraft platforms.

The role will involve designing communication links, evaluating network performance, and supporting system integration activities in both laboratory environments and experimental flight-test campaigns.

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, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.

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

Experience

1. Significant experience designing, implementing and/or integrating wired and/or wireless communication systems, including direct line of sight and multi-hop communication networks;


2. Experience working with networking protocols and distributed communication systems such as TCP/IP, UDP or similar technologies;


3. Experience integrating communication systems with embedded systems, avionics platforms or distributed computing systems;


4. Experience evaluating communication system performance including latency, bandwidth and reliability;


5. Experience developing software tools or scripts for network testing, monitoring or data analysis;


6. Experience with secure communications, encryption technologies and/or cybersecurity.

Experience listed below would be considered an asset, but not mandatory to the position:

1. Experience working with unmanned aircraft systems, command-and-control (C2) data links, and/or MAVLink and/or aviation communication and air traffic management systems;


2. Experience working on military hardware, protocols and standards;


3. Experience in electronic warfare (EW), jamming and spoofing;


4. Experience supporting flight test engineering activities and/or data acquisition systems.

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 or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

1. Strong knowledge of communication network architectures and distributed communication systems;


2. Ability to design and integrate communication systems for aeronautical/aerospace and/or autonomous platforms;


3. Knowledge of networking protocols and communication standards used in embedded and distributed systems;


4. Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure communication protocols applicable to aviation or autonomous systems;


5. Ability to evaluate communication system performance including latency, reliability and robustness in operational civilian airspaces, as well as in electronic warfare contested environments;


6. Knowledge of civilian aviation and military radio frequency bands, protocols and hardware;


7. Ability to support integration and validation of communication systems during aircraft ground testing and flight-test activities.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-2, 3 or 4 level, which is an intermediate career level position with a salary range of $82,985 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).

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.