Instrumentation Technologist

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is seeking an Instrumentation Technologist to support the Automotive and Surface Transportation Research Centre. The role involves collaborating in multidisciplinary teams to enhance transportation safety through innovative research and technical expertise in instrumentation and data analysis.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Robust pension plan

Disability and life insurance

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in sensor evaluation and instrumentation.
• Experience in laboratory and field test campaigns.
• Ability to analyze and manipulate data using scientific computing software.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory, track, and on-road testing activities.
• Maintain and upgrade specialized railway facilities and measuring equipment.
• Assist in developing vehicle remote monitoring systems.

Skills

Data interpretation

Technical report writing

Data analysis

Sensor evaluation

Education

College diploma in electrical, electronics, or instrumentation

Tools

Excel

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

Job description

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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.

OrganizationalUnit:Automotive and Surface Transportation

Classification:TO-3

Tenure:Continuing

Work Arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

Notes:

• This position is being reposted. If you have previously applied you do not need to re-apply.
• While the intent of this staffing process is to staff a vacant continuing position, a list of prequalified candidates may be established to staff a similar position for a 2 year term.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC), recently named one of Canada’s 2025 Top Employers for Young People, a 2025 Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

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.

The Role

We are looking for an Instrumentation Technologist to support our Automotive and Surface Transportation (AST) Research Centre. The incumbent would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

NRC Automotive and Surface Transportation (AST) Research Center has the mandate to advance product and process technologies for producing more fuel-efficient, safe, affordable and environmentally-responsible ground vehicles, and to deliver engineering solutions to complex technology challenges facing today’s surface transportation industries including automotive, heavy and specialized vehicles and rail.

As a member of the Testing and Evaluation team, the ideal candidate would be an experienced technologist capable of supporting research projects and working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to improve transportation safety through cutting edge research.

The candidate will work in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in unique research facilities. Responsibilities will include the provision of technical assistance in the preparation for and the conduct of tests/experiments and the maintenance of the laboratory and equipment.

The Technical Officer is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of research facilities including supporting the implementation of instrumentation, experimental data acquisition systems used in the facilities and field studies, procuring and installing equipment and components, and collecting, organizing and presenting data. Providing technical expertise for defining requirements and selecting scientific instrumentation, components, software and test equipment are also important tasks of this position.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

• Support laboratory, track and on-road testing activities.
• Operation, maintenance and upgrade of specialized railway facilities and measuring equipment.
• Selection of suitable instrumentation for projects.
• Support the development of vehicle remote monitoring systems, calibration, installations, and management of hardware assets.
• Manipulate and analyze data.
• Assist in the development of research proposals including scope definition, elaboration of research activity timelines and funding/budget estimates.

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

College diploma in an electrical, electronics, instrumentation program or other discipline related to the position.

• Significant* experience in the evaluation and selection of suitable sensors and instrumentation for research and/or testing activities such as motion, acceleration, displacement, temperatures, pressure, airflow, strain, etc.
• Experience in preparing and executing field and laboratory test campaigns.
• Significant* experience with the maintenance, calibration, operation, and repair of electronic measurement instrumentation.
• Significant* experience performing data interpretation/research analysis using scientific computing software (such as Excel, LabVIEW, MATLAB, VBA) to analyze and manipulate data.
• Experience in writing scripts or macros to carry out batch data processing and interpretation (Excel, MATLAB, Python, or R) data.
• Experience in writing technical reports.
• Experience in the use of mechanical or electrical tools (drills, power saws, tin snips, wire strippers and cutters, soldering irons etc.) would be considered as an asset.

* Significant experience is defined as at least two (2) years of experience.

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

• Ability to install, operate, troubleshoot and repair electronic/mechanical devices for lab and field experiments related to instrumentation.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings for variety of purposes including the building of prototypes and installation of instrumentation for testing.
• Strong knowledge of test instrumentation and its applications, including strain gauges, accelerometers, power and voltage transducers, humidity sensors, etc.
• Ability to use MS Office Suite for the purposes of system documentation and reporting test results.

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile:Technology Support

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range ofcompetitive 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.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC has been chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers.
• 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.
• The successful candidate must be willing to travel occasionally across Canada and internationally to represent NRC.
• The successful candidate must be willing to work in a variety of climates and in a physical manner on both heavy and large but also with precision electronic equipment.
• 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 therequisition number ( 22484 ) to:

Closing Date: 18 October 2024- 23:59 Eastern Time

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*If you are currently a term or continuingemployee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.