Senior Navigation Specialist

Bmt Defence Services LTD; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plan

Hybrid work arrangement

RRSP or TFSA matching program

Professional development opportunities

Employee recognition program

Employee referral program

Job summary

BMT is seeking a Senior Navigation Specialist based in Halifax, NS / Ottawa, ON. The role focuses on simulation-based navigation and ship handling, demanding deep expertise in bridging crew operations, COLREGs, STCW, and advanced navigation systems.

You will guide simulation design, execution, and analysis, ensuring realistic outcomes in diverse maritime scenarios. The position offers permanent, full-time employment with a competitive salary and benefits package, including hybrid work options

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years practical ship handling/navigation experience.
• Valid STCW Bridge Watchkeeper Certificate.
• Extensive experience with Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, AIS, GPS).
• Ability to translate real-world ops into credible simulation inputs.
• Understanding of bridge team dynamics in simulated and real ops.
• Strong analytical and communication skills for client-facing studies.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert navigation and ship handling advice for simulations and studies.
• Translate real-world maritime operations into credible simulation inputs and constraints.
• Act as Bridge Watchkeeper ensuring simulations reflect COLREGs and STCW standards.
• Operate and guide use of ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, GPS, AIS in simulations.
• Support simulations, trials, and post-simulation analysis and reporting.
• Contribute to engineering studies and capability assessments with navigation focus.
• Share insights on human factors and bridge team behaviours in simulations.
• Mentor team members on navigation considerations within simulation environments.
• Maintain current knowledge of navigation tech and simulation practices.
• Review outputs to ensure client expectations and realism.

Skills

Ship handling expertise

Maritime navigation

Bridge team dynamics

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership & stakeholder engagement

Maritime modelling/simulation tools

Ship towing operations

Vessel design & maneuvering

Marine assurance & safety cases

Education

Bridge Watchkeeper Certificate (STCW)

Tools

ECDIS

Radar/ARPA

AIS

GPS

Integrated bridge systems

Job description

Job Title: Senior Navigation Specialist
Location: Halifax, NS, Ottawa, ON
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Annual Salary: $130,000-150,000

About BMT BMT is dedicated to tackling the most crucial engineering challenges of our era, fostering an environment where individuals with exceptional technical expertise provide meaningful, practical solutions. Committed to creating a safer, more efficient, effective, and sustainable future, BMT values diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving our business purpose. Learn more about BMT at www.bmt.org .

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Navigator is responsible for providing professional technical advice in support of simulation-based activities related to navigation, bridge operations, and ship handling. The role supports the effective design, delivery, and execution of our simulation services by bringing advanced operational expertise to our simulation environments, ensuring realistic, safe, and operationally credible outcomes.

• Provide subject matter expertise and technical advice in support of navigation and ship handling simulations, including scenario development, execution, and analysis.
• Support client activities by translating real-world maritime operations into credible simulation inputs, behaviours, and constraints.
• Perform duties as a qualified Bridge Watchkeeper, ensuring that simulation outputs reflect current operational best practices and regulatory compliance (e.g. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Apply advanced ship handling knowledge to validate and inform simulation scenarios across a range of operating conditions (open ocean, coastal, confined waters, port approaches).
• Operate and provide expert guidance on Electronic Navigation Systems within simulation and real-world contexts, including: Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); Radar / ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid); GPS (Global Positioning System) and integrated bridge systems; AIS (Automatic Identification System) and voyage planning tools.
• Support the development and conduct of simulations, trials, and studies, including post-simulation analysis and reporting.
• Contribute operational expertise to engineering studies, concept development, and capability assessments, particularly where navigation and maneuvering are key factors.
• Provide insight into human factors and bridge team behaviors as they relate to simulated operations.
• Train, mentor, and support team members in understanding practical navigation considerations within simulation environments.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through ongoing certification, training, and awareness of evolving navigation technologies and simulation practices.
• Conduct reviews and provide assurance that simulation outputs and navigation-related deliverables meet client expectations and operational realism.
• Contribute to internal innovation and business development activities where simulation and operational navigation expertise is required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in ship handling, maritime navigation and/or pilotage of large seagoing vessels (e.g., cruise ships, tankers, naval platforms).
• Valid Bridge Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency (STCW compliant)
• Extensive experience with Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, AIS, GPS, integrated bridge systems), including their representation and use in simulated environments
• Ability to translate real-world operational practices into credible simulation inputs, constraints, and performance measures
• Understanding of bridge team dynamics within simulated and real-world operations
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting simulation results and providing actionable insights to clients
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in explaining complex operational behaviours within technical studies
• Strong leadership, teamwork and stakeholder engagement skills across multidisciplinary project teams
• Experience with bridge simulators (full mission or part-task trainers) or maritime modelling/simulation tools
• Experience in complex ship towing operations
• Familiarity with how vessel design characteristics influence maneuvering performance and simulation fidelity
• Experience contributing to marine assurance, safety cases, or operational risk assessments
• Eligible for Canadian or US security clearance (depending on the region of employment)

Why Work For Us?

At BMT we believe in hiring the best talent, from diverse backgrounds, as this introduces new ideas to the team and our customers. We believe in a cooperative and collaborative work environment and support and encourage career growth.
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary commensurate with skill, ability and experience, as well as a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, dental and vision plan (including a Health Care Spending Account)
• Employee and Family Assistance program
• Parental/Maternity leave top-up program
• RRSP or TFSA matching program
• Flexible work hours and hybrid work arrangement
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee recognition program
• Employee referral program

BMT is committed to employment equity, to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst its workforce. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.