AI Solutions Engineer

Thales Group; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health & dental

Retirement plan with company match

Paid leave & holidays

Employee discounts

Job summary

Thales Group in Canada seeks an Ottawa-based Hybrid Project Manager to lead the integration of AI-driven capabilities into Land C4ISR frameworks under the DSEF project. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, oversee AI lifecycle, and ensure system integrity while advancing UAV and ISR workflows in tactical environments.

The role requires extensive experience in military software systems, IPT leadership, and strategic advisory capabilities within demanding defense programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years as a Software Engineer on Military Command and Control software systems.
• Minimum 4 years as a Software Specialist within an IPT for an onsite client.
• Minimum 8 years advising senior management on technical issues.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams in IT tactical systems, frameworks or strategies.
• Communicating IT frameworks/strategies to management and technical staff.
• Knowledge of agile software engineering methodologies.
• Experience designing and integrating AI algorithms for multi-source data (ISR) into actionable intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and provide architecture recommendations on software and interface documentation for AI/ML module integration.
• Recommend system-level solutions leveraging AI for mission-critical software.
• Oversee lifecycle management of AI-enabled C4ISR systems and integration testing.
• Advise senior management on strategic AI framework implementation in tactical IT environments.
• Prepare rigorous technical and procurement documentation for AI-based applications and software suites.
• Conduct technical definition studies and options analysis on AI algorithms performance.

Skills

Software Engineering

IPT leadership

AI/ML integration

Leadership

Agile methodologies

System architecture

Project management

Education

Bachelor of Science or College Diploma in Computer Technology

Job description

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Hybrid Ottawa Project Manager

Position Summary

The AI Solutions Engineer will bridge the gap between traditional mission-critical software engineering and next-generation autonomous decision support in the context of Land C4ISR under the DSEF project. In this role, the successful candidate will lead the integration of AI-driven capabilities into existing Land C4ISR frameworks, ensuring that system integrity is maintained while advancing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance workflows and decision making through intelligent software solutions.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and/or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• System Architecture: Review, analyze, and provide architecture recommendations on software and application interface documentation, specifically focusing on the integration of AI/ML modules.
• System Design: Recommend system-level solutions to bridge capability gaps, leveraging applied AI technologies to mission-critical software.
• AI Integration & Lifecycle: Oversee the lifecycle management of AI-enabled C4ISR systems, including witnessing integration testing for autonomous sensor fusion and M&S components.
• Technical Leadership: Advise senior management on the strategic implementation of AI frameworks within tactical IT environments, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-fidelity, intelligent defense systems.
• Documentation & Procurement: Prepare rigorous technical and procurement documentation for the acquisition and maintenance of AI-based applications and software suites.
• Advanced Analysis: Conduct technical definition studies and options analysis, specifically evaluating the performance and reliability of AI algorithms in Land C4ISR environments.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience as a Software Engineer on Military Command and Control Software systems.
• Minimum of 4 years of demonstrated experience as a Software Specialist within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) for an onsite client.
• Minimum 8 years of demonstrated experience: Providing advice, guidance and recommendations on technical issues to support the decision-making of senior management.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams in the development of IT tactical systems, frameworks or strategies.
• Communicating information technology frameworks/strategies to management and technical staff.
• Communicating system engineering direction for projects or systems.
• Performing strategic, operational or tactical planning for projects or systems to meet corporate strategy.
• Minimum of 14 years of demonstrated experience within the last 18 years, covering at least five of the following:
  • Software engineering within a Client/Server Environment or Collaborative Environments;
  • Managing, Analyzing, Designing, Modeling, and Implementing software systems;
  • Communication engineering (Hardware, Software and Network) or Specialty engineering (Security, Modeling and Simulation, ISR) Software Engineering for Real-Time systems, Distributed Systems, embedded systems or mission critical systems environments;
  • Software Integration: hardware and software, (COTS and/or custom developed) components into new or existing systems;
  • Demonstrated experience in the field of Firepower, ISR, C4ISR, or Modelling and Simulation software development.
• System life-cycle management for software systems.
• Knowledge of agile software engineering methodologies;
• Work on well-defined projects with minimal supervision;
• Experience with at least one of the following:
  • Experience in designing and integrating AI algorithms capable of synthesizing multi-source data (e.g., ISR feeds) into actionable intelligence for commanders.
  • Expertise in utilizing AI/ML to enhance the fidelity of tactical simulations, allowing for real-time scenario generation and predictive analysis of battlefield outcomes.
  • Proven track record in applying AI-driven optimization techniques to resource allocation, logistical planning, and autonomous decision-support systems within constrained tactical networks.
  • Demonstrated experience navigating the unique challenges of software testing, verification, and validation (V&V) for non-deterministic AI/ML components in mission-critical environments.
• Business acumen; Capable of developing strong relationships across the business through excellent customer service; and, Excellent communication skills in the English language, written and verbal.
• College Diploma in Computer Technology, or a Bachelor of Science (or suitable engineering/technical field) relevant to Land C4ISR support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in CBRN analysis.
• Experience in sensors integration.
• Experience with Land C4ISR interoperability standards.
• Graduate degree in Engineering - software, computer, systems, electrical, or a suitable engineering or technical field required to support Land C4ISR.

Special Position Requirements

Customer Location Based - Gatineau

Compensation

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) $120,000 - $135000 -$150,000 CAD Annual. This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

Benefits

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.
• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

Accommodations

Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

Regulatory Security Details

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian Enhanced Reliability security clearance.