Compliance and Certification Specialist

ZenaTech Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZenaTech Inc. is seeking a Regulatory Compliance Manager – UAS to lead aviation compliance initiatives across UAS, aerospace/defense, and international operations.

The role translates complex regulations into practical systems, procedures, and controls, working closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Legal. This hands-on position emphasizes quick learning, structured processes, and risk-based decision making to move compliance and certification projects forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 3+ years in regulatory compliance or related area.
• Ability to translate regulations into practical processes.
• Experience developing SOPs and documentation.
• Strong writing and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support regulatory and certification projects for UAS and related pathways.
• Research and interpret applicable regulations and translate them into practical actions for internal teams.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, procedures, workflows, registers, checklists, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate certification and regulatory submissions, gathering information from engineering and other stakeholders.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impact on products, operations, certifications, and business activities.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready compliance records and evidence.

Skills

Regulatory interpretation

Stakeholder coordination

Documentation

Risk assessment

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

SharePoint

Regulatory databases

EMCP knowledge

Job description

ZenaTech Inc. is a cutting-edge provider of advanced drone technology and aerial service platforms, serving sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, defense, and environmental monitoring. With operations expanding in both the U.S. and Canada, our unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are transforming how industries gather data, spray crops, and monitor assets. To support our expansion and ensure legal and operational integrity, we are hiring a Regulatory Compliance Manager – UAS to lead our aviation compliance initiatives.

This position is in office 5 days a week and not offered Remote or hybrid

Position Summary

ZenaTech is looking for a Regulatory Compliance & Certification Specialist to support our growing compliance and certification programs across UAS, aerospace/defense, product compliance, and international operations.

This is a hands-on role focused on translating regulatory requirements into practical systems, procedures, documentation, and controls. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Legal, and external regulatory specialists to help move compliance and certification projects forward.

Direct experience with every UAS, aviation, or export-control regulation is not required. We are interested in candidates with strong transferable experience in regulated industries who can demonstrate an ability to quickly learn and apply new regulatory frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support regulatory and certification projects for UAS products and operations, including U.S. aviation, defense, and product-compliance pathways.
• Research and interpret applicable regulations, standards, and certification requirements and translate them into practical actions for internal teams.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, compliance procedures, workflows, registers, checklists, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate certification and regulatory submissions, including gathering technical information and evidence from Engineering and other stakeholders.
• Support U.S. export-control activities, including EAR/ITAR compliance, technical-data controls, due diligence, recordkeeping, and implementation of the company's Export Management and Compliance Program (EMCP).
• Work with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Legal, and external advisers to identify and close compliance gaps.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready compliance and certification records, including approvals, evidence, technical documentation, and regulatory correspondence.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess their potential impact on products, operations, certifications, and business activities.
• Identify and prioritize compliance risks using a practical, risk-based approach.
• Support internal audits, training, corrective actions, and continuous improvement of the compliance program.
• Assist management in understanding regulatory risks, options, priorities, and recommended actions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Public Policy, Aviation, Science, Regulatory Affairs, Law, or another relevant discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, product compliance, certification, quality/regulatory systems, engineering compliance, aviation, or another regulated industry.
• Experience interpreting regulations, standards, technical requirements, or certification criteria and translating them into practical processes or actions.
• Experience developing or improving SOPs, procedures, compliance documentation, workflows, or management systems.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills.
• Comfortable working with technical teams and gathering information from multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work using risk, regulatory impact, deadlines, and business needs.
• Ability to independently research, learn, and apply unfamiliar regulatory requirements.

Relevant Transferable Backgrounds

We welcome candidates from regulated industries and technical environments such as:

• Aerospace and aviation
• Defense
• Electronics and advanced manufacturing
• Automotive
• Telecommunications
• Product certification
• Regulatory affairs
• Quality and management systems

Experience in one of these industries is valuable; direct drone-industry experience is not required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience or familiarity with any of the following is considered an asset, but candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas:

• FAA UAS regulations, including Part 107 and related waiver or exemption processes
• Transport Canada RPAS regulations / CARs Part IX
• U.S. export controls, including EAR and ITAR
• Export Management and Compliance Programs (EMCP)
• Green UAS or Blue UAS certification
• ISO management systems
• SORA, SMS, ASTM, or other risk/safety frameworks
• Regulatory submissions, certifications, waivers, or government approvals
• SharePoint or similar systems for document control, workflows, and compliance records
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate or Canadian RPAS pilot certification

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be someone who can take a regulatory requirement that may initially be unfamiliar, understand what it means for the business, identify the people and information needed, and turn it into a practical compliance process.

You do not need to arrive knowing every regulation we work with. We are looking for someone who can learn quickly, create structure, work across teams, and make sound decisions based on risk.

Why Join Us?

Opportunity to work on cutting-edge drone technology and AI-driven innovations in a fast growth company with outstanding personal growth potential. Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of drones across multiple industries in a collaborative work environment with a mission-driven team. If you are a forward-thinking professional passionate about driving innovation and building high-impact partnerships,

We use artificial intelligence to review and screen applications and materials. However, every candidate we move forward with is reviewed and selected, and all final hiring decisions are made, by a member of our hiring team.

“We are an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity utilizing hiring practices on merit and business needs. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and all others of legally protected status.”

This posting is for an existing vacancy.