Calibration Engineer - Solutions Chemistry (12-month contract)

RBR; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

RRSP matching

Bonus program

Fitness reimbursement

EV reimbursement + charging stations

Commuting incentive

Weekly team lunches

Team events

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

RBR in Kanata (Ottawa), Ontario, is seeking a Calibration Engineer for a 12-month, on-site contract. You will validate and release calibration procedures for optical sensors, driving rigorous, repeatable, and traceable calibrations across our instruments used in ocean research.

You will lead validation cycles, perform gauge R&R studies, analyze drift data, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001, collaborating with calibration, production, and quality teams to deliver reliable results.

Qualifications

• University degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in calibration, metrology, quality control, or validation laboratory.
• Hands-on calibration and verification of instruments.
• Ability to design and analyze measurement system studies including gauge R&R using JMP, Minitab, R, or Python.
• Experience trending sensor drift to set calibration or retest intervals.
• Strong technical writing for protocols and reports in a controlled document system.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management.
• Self-directed, organized, capable of managing multiple validations.

Responsibilities

• Lead calibration procedures through the full validation cycle: protocol, testing, analysis, report, and release.
• Design and run gauge R&R studies to measure calibration method performance.
• Analyze historical calibration records to model drift and recommend recalibration intervals.
• Apply traceability and measurement uncertainty principles across calibration processes.
• Write validation protocols, reports, and procedures that meet quality system requirements.
• Plan test runs with production and calibration teams to fit validation around schedules.
• Build reusable validation tools for team use after the contract ends.
• Present findings and recommendations to engineering, production and quality teams.

Skills

Measurement system studies

Statistical software proficiency

Calibration/metrology experience

Technical writing

Quality management knowledge

Self-directed

Education

University degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

Minitab

R

Python

Job description

Location: Kanata (Ottawa), Ontario / on-site

Reports to: Calibration Manager

Role status: Existing role

About RBR: Making waves since 1973

We've been designing cutting-edge instruments to measure our blue planet for over 50 years. Built to withstand the harshest environments on Earth, our instruments are deployed from the ocean's deepest trenches to the polar ice caps, capturing essential data on water temperature, salinity, pH, and more. This data empowers researchers in the global fight against climate change, and our technology supports groundbreaking science with partners like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Woods Hole, the Scripps Institution, and the British Antarctic Survey.

At RBR, we care deeply about our work, each other, the environment, and the global communities we serve. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and having fun along the way. From weekly lunches to social events, We're a crew that thrives on complex, exciting challenges that have a meaningful impact on the blue planet!

About the role

We are looking for a Calibration Engineer at RBR for a 12 month contract where you will help ensure the calibrations behind our instruments are rigorous, repeatable, and traceable. In this self-directed, six-month contract, you will validate and release a set of calibration procedures for our optical sensors. You'll work alongside a passionate calibration team and see your expertise shape instruments used in ocean research around the world.

What you'll do

• Lead each calibration procedure through the full validation cycle: protocol, testing, analysis, report, and release through document control

• Design and run gauge repeatability and reproducibility (gauge R&R) studies to measure and document the performance of calibration methods

• Analyse historical calibration records and repeat-check data to model sensor drift and recommend evidence-based recalibration intervals

• Apply metrological traceability and measurement uncertainty principles across our calibration processes

• Write clear validation protocols, reports, and procedures that meet our quality system requirements

• Plan test runs with the production and calibration teams so validation work fits around production schedules

• Build reusable validation tools, such as a validation plan, protocol template, and standard gauge R&R design, for the team to keep using after the contract ends

• Present findings and recommendations to engineering, production, and quality colleagues

What you bring

• University degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or a related field or a suitable combination of education, experience, and/or relevant training.

• 5+ years of experience in a calibration, metrology, quality control, or validation laboratory

• Hands-on experience calibrating and verifying laboratory or measurement instruments

• Proven ability to design and analyze measurement system studies, including gauge R&R, using statistical software such as JMP, Minitab, R, or Python

• Experience trending long-term stability or drift data to set calibration or retest intervals

• Strong technical writing skills, including protocols, procedures, and reports in a controlled document system

• Working knowledge of quality management standards such as ISO 9001

• A self-directed, organized approach to managing several validations at once

Nice to haves

• Knowledge of ISO17025 and measurement uncertainty estimation

• A quality certification from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), such as Certified Quality Technician or Certified Quality Engineer, or Lean Six Sigma training

• Experience with optical, chemical, or environmental sensors, such as fluorescence, turbidity, pH, or conductivity

• Experience in a regulated environment, such as ISO 13485 or good manufacturing practice (GMP)

• Interest in oceanography or climate science

Salary range: $70,000 - $90,000

• The final salary and job level will depend on your experience and qualifications. We know great talent shows up at different points in a career - whether you're earlier in your journey or bring senior-level experience, we encourage you to apply. Depending on fit, the role level may shift accordingly.

Why you'll love working at RBR

• 20 days of vacation, plus a company-wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days

• Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

• Bonus program

• Annual fitness reimbursement program

• Greener commuting incentive program (bike-to-work, carpool, or transit passes)

• EV reimbursement program + on-site charging stations

• Charitable donation matching

• Weekly lunches (on us!)

• Team events and social activities

• Collaborative, supportive work environment

• Work alongside passionate experts spanning multiple disciplines

• Direct impact on climate science and ocean research

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds and aim to find the most talented person for each role. Accommodations are available upon request at every stage of the selection process.

AI statement: At RBR, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools during parts of our hiring process. These tools may be used to support note-taking, scheduling, and/or organizing candidate information. Final hiring decisions are made by our people.