RPAS Pilot & Flight Operations Specialist

National Research Council of Canada; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is seeking an RPAS Pilot – Flight Operations Specialist to support experimental RPAS platforms within the CDI in Mirabel. You will handle flight planning, safety, and compliance while coordinating with engineers and researchers to advance drone autonomy and testing.

The role emphasizes the ability to operate various RPAS types, adapt to dynamic conditions, and work within a multidisciplinary team. A limited hybrid work arrangement may be available.

Qualifications

• Valid Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate.
• A Private Pilot License (PPL) or Glider Pilot License (GPL) and/or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute aviation/RPAS flight operations including mission planning and risk management.
• Coordinate flight activities with engineering/research teams.
• Support operational planning, flight safety, regulatory compliance and demonstrations of RPAS platforms.
• Contribute to safe and efficient operation of experimental RPAS and research activities.

Skills

RPAS Operations

Flight Planning

Risk Management

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree in aviation, aerospace, robotics, or related discipline

Job description

RPAS Pilot & Flight Operations Specialist

Priority will 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:Aerospace

Classification:TO-5

Language Requirements:English or French

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

Discover the possible

Defence Industrial Strategy

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy , accelerating research and innovation, and helping Canadian businesses develop leading-edge technologies for civilian and military use.

With expertise across fields such as transportation, quantum science, medical countermeasures and advanced manufacturing, the NRC is hiring to drive the development of national sovereign defence capabilities. The following role will support the NRC’s contributions to defence priorities.

The role

We are looking for anRPAS Pilot – Flight Operations Specialist to support advanced research and development and join the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and RPAS Traffic Management (RTM) team within the Centre for Drone Innovation (CDI) in Mirabel. The new CDI is part of the Aerospace Research Centre’s Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab. It will strengthen Canada’s ability to research, develop, test and validate advanced drone technologies.

The successful candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.

Working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians and researchers, the RPAS Pilot will support experimental aircraft integration, flight‑test campaigns and operational demonstrations. The role includes responsibility for operational planning, flight safety, regulatory compliance and coordination of flight activities supporting research and technology development.

The role will contribute to the safe and efficient operation of experimental RPAS platforms while supporting research activities in autonomy, sensor integration, communications and mission systems.

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 or bachelor’s degree in aviation, aerospace technologies, robotics, engineering or a related discipline.

• Valid Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate;
• A Private Pilot License (PPL) or Glider Pilot License (GPL) and/or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) would be considered an asset.

Experience

• Significant experience operating remotely piloted aircraft systems in operational, research or testing environments;
• Experience planning and executing aviation or RPAS flight operations including mission planning and operational risk management;
• Experience coordinating aviation operations with engineering or research teams in multidisciplinary technical environments; and
• Experience developing operational procedures, flight test plans or aviation safety documentation

Experience listed below would be considered an asset, but not mandatory to the position:

• Experience supporting experimental aircraft development or technology demonstrations;
• Experience conducting operations in controlled airspace and/or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS);
• Experience supporting flight test engineering activities;
• Experience operating military RPAS;
• Battlefield 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.

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

• Ability to remotely pilot, follow flight test plans and operate various types of RPAS, including fixed-wing, helicopter and multi-copter platforms to gather experimental flight data for validation and demonstrate novel applications;
• Ability to adapt to unpredictable circumstances and complete the mission safely;
• Knowledge of RPAS flight operations, aviation safety practices and operational risk management;
• Knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and regulatory frameworks governing RPAS operations;
• Ability to plan and execute safe flight operations of experimental RPAS;
• Ability to coordinate complex operational activities involving multidisciplinary engineering teams;
• Understanding of aviation operational procedures, including hybrid airspace coordination with RPAS and civilian and/or military aircraft, mission planning and safety documentation; and
• Knowledge of U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and/or European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or other international governing bodies regulations governing RPAS operation would be an asset.
• Technology extension - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

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

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.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• 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.

Closing Date: 4 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time