Facilities Research Engineer

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Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

Organizational Unit: Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering

Classification: RCO

Tenure: Continuing

Work Arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location. Limited hybrid work arrangement (a combination of working onsite and offsite) may be possible based on operational requirements.

The Role

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada's largest research and technology organization. We are looking for a Facilities Research Engineer to support our Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering (OCRE) Research Centre. The Facilities Research Engineer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

As a key member of OCRE, the Facilities Research Engineer is responsible for maintaining state-of-the-art facilities throughout the entire life cycle from design to maintenance. It includes physical assets such as wave makers and wave basins, as well as electronic equipment such as data acquisition systems, various types of sensors and cameras. The Facilities Research Engineer supports the execution of research projects, which are by definition unique and require innovative solutions developed within the constraints of scientific requirements, engineering principles, and available resources.

In the OCRE laboratory area, strict adherence to Health and Safety protocols is essential due to the presence of construction materials like gravel, sand, and concrete, which create potential hazards typical of a construction site environment. Employees must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots, and be trained on proper handling and emergency procedures to minimize risks and ensure a safe working environment.

Responsibilities of this position include:

• Maintaining existing research equipment to ensure they are performing as per design specifications. This includes working in collaboration with OCRE teams and external contractors to maintain basins, wave machines, controllers, and data acquisition systems.
• Continuously improving research facilities by exploring the feasibility of new design concepts and promoting the utilization of new technologies for the strategic development of electromechanical systems at OCRE. Assists in developing proposals for projects by assessing technical risks and providing detailed estimates for time and cost.
• Designing experimental apparatus, instrumentation, and equipment for OCRE research projects in collaboration with other technical teams. This includes meeting with researchers and clients to determine design requirements, providing advice and suggestions on technical constraints, coordinating efforts with mechanical design and software engineering leads, developing concepts, and preparing detailed integration and test plans.
• Identifying commercially available devices to meet project requirements using standard methods for integration and testing of new systems. Directing and participating in the assembly, installation, and testing of electromechanical systems, and preparing written reports documenting the design, analysis, fabrication, calibration, and installation of new experimental apparatus and solutions for problems with existing systems.
• Responsible for the computer management tasks relating to laboratory facilities, which include computer workstations, networking hardware, network storage, data acquisition, and engineering software.

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

University degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or System Engineering, or in another discipline related to the position.

• *Significant experience in electro-mechanical systems such as force measuring systems, motion systems, signal conditioning, computer interfacing, servo control, embedded systems, and data acquisition.
• Experience with configuration, calibration, installation, and operation of sensors for measurement of quantities such as force, pressure, torque, temperature, displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Experience in all stages of project management, including maintaining facilities, planning and organizing work, assigning duties and responsibilities, and re-directing resources when required to ensure project timelines, objectives, and quality standards are met.

Assets:

• Experience in computer and system management would be an asset.

*Significant refers to at least five (5) years of experience.
Experience refers to at least two (2) years of experience.

Condition of Employment

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

Assessment Criteria

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

• Knowledge of theoretical concepts relating to electrical and hydraulic motors, embedded controllers.
• Knowledge of theoretical concepts relating to instrumentation such as wave probes, flow measurements, inertial sensors, optical tracking systems, force measurement equipment, high-resolution video capture, and high-speed imaging.
• Ability to analyze, discuss, solve problems, and present on complex technical issues in physical experiments in a research environment.
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety best practices required to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment in large scale hydrodynamic test facilities.
• Knowledge of computer management for the purpose of system upgrades, software installation, and data management would be an asset.
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-3 or RCO-4 level, which is a mid to senior-career level position with a salary range of $117,341 to $164,894.

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 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 National Research Council (NRC). As Canada’s leading research and technology 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.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (23716) to:

Closing Date: 13 May 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.