2027 Winter Student Program- Software Engineering Student

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; Hybrid; CAD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Floating holiday

4% extra pay

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is seeking a Winter Student Program student in Software Engineering to design, develop, and test software supporting specialized equipment at Chalk River. You will help implement microcontrollers, SBCs, and PLC/LabVIEW systems while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The position is a 4-month, on-site term (January–April) for software or mechatronics students, with security clearance eligibility and a focus on robotics, AI, and digital twinning.

Qualifications

• Students should be software or mechatronics engineering students or in a similar discipline.
• Design and development of PLC and/or LabVIEW control/automation systems.
• Implementation of microcontrollers and single-board computers such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
• A keen interest in robotics, digital twinning, machine vision and artificial intelligence.
• Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance eligibility as required by CNL.

Responsibilities

• Write and develop software using general‑purpose programming languages.
• Evaluate and select programmable electronic systems, including data acquisition hardware, real‑time controllers, microcontrollers, and PCs.
• Assist with laboratory testing of software integration with designed equipment.
• Help conceptualize component prototypes and testing mock‑ups where applicable.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to select and test software and hardware for integration with mechanical equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your manager.

Skills

Software development

PLC & LabVIEW

Microcontrollers

Robotics & AI interest

Education

Software or mechatronics engineering student

Tools

Arduino

Raspberry Pi

LabVIEW

PLC control systems

Job description

2027 Winter Student Program- Software Engineering Student Position Number 1344 Classification Term # of openings 1

Are you looking for a hands‑on engineering role that will challenge you and let you contribute to real‑world nuclear solutions? As a Software Engineering Student with the Assembly, Commissioning and Electrical (ACE) Branch at Chalk River Laboratories, you’ll help design, develop, and test software systems that support specialized equipment—such as tooling for remote inspection of nuclear facilities. Do you enjoy solving complex problems, working with multidisciplinary teams, and seeing your work directly enable safety and innovation in the nuclear industry? If so, this may be the role for you

All students applying for student positions at CNL must be returning to full-time studies upon completion of their work term. Exceptions will be made for students who require a work term to graduate.

Department: Assembly, Commissioning and Electrical (ACE) Branch
Number of Positions:1
Duration: 4 Months (January- April)
Field of Study: Students should be software or mechatronics engineering students or in a similar discipline.
Year of study: 3rd and 4th year of studies or higher.

What will you be doing!

• Writing and developing software using general‑purpose programming languages.
• Evaluating and selecting programmable electronic systems, including data acquisition hardware, real‑time controllers, microcontrollers, and personal computers.
• Assisting with laboratory testing of software integration with the designed equipment.
• Helping to conceptualize component prototypes and testing mock‑ups, where applicable.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to select, develop, and test software and hardware for integration with mechanical equipment.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Students should be software or mechatronics engineering students or in a similar discipline.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Design and development of PLC and/or LabVIEW control/acquisition/automation systems.
  • Implementation of microcontrollers and single-board computers such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
  • Able to evaluate and select hardware as required to support mechanical systems.
  • A keen interest in robotics, digital twinning, machine vision and artificial intelligence.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

Working Conditions:

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What we offer Students:

• Paid Statutory Holidays (within the working term);
• 1 Company Floating Holiday;
• Instead of cumulative vacation time, students receive an additional 4% of earnings on each pay!

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.

Please note:

This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities.

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail] . All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.