Senior Software Engineer

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingualism Bonus

Robust pension plan

Health and dental coverage

Disability and life insurance

Office closure at end of December

Job summary

National Research Council Canada in Ottawa seeks a Senior Software Engineer to lead the development of AI-enabled agents, tools and applications that help NRC employees work more effectively within the CIO Branch.

You will lead a small team, prioritize projects with the greatest impact, coordinate with stakeholders, and mentor colleagues while ensuring quality design, testing, debugging and thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience developing and maintaining software applications using modern programming languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, Python, and C#
• 3+ years experience with large language models and related orchestrations frameworks and agents
• Significant experience with System Development Life Cycles (SDLC) methodologies
• Significant experience conducting, testing debugging, and documentation for application systems
• Experience in managing other developers and guiding workflows across a team
• Experience in stakeholder relations and project scoping

Responsibilities

• Lead in the design, development, implementation, integration, and maintenance of AI applications
• Lead in testing, debugging, and quality assurance activities
• Define and document client requirements
• Advise developers and engineers on the best approach to problems, ensuring quality documentation, project specifications, reports
• Train and upskill colleagues, contribute to overall team leadership by advising on strategic direction and other technical objectives

Skills

HTML

CSS

Python

C#

Large Language Models

LLM Orchestration

SDLC

Testing & Debugging

Documentation

Mentoring

Stakeholder relations

Education

University degree in Computer Science

Advanced degree (asset)

Job description

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.

OrganizationalUnit:Chief Information Officer Branch

Classification:CS-4

Tenure:Continuing

Language Requirements: English and Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

COLLECTIVE STAFFING: A pool of qualified candidates will be established for a one-year period and will be used to staff additional positions as needed.

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).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

The role

We are currently looking for a Senior Software Engineer to lead the development of agents, tools, and applications that leverage generative AI and other approaches to help NRC employees work more effectively. This role is in the Chief Information Officer Branch (CIOB). The Senior Software Engineer should be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will lead a small team of developers and engineers in the production of AI enabled agents, tools, and applications based on requests from teams across the NRC. You will prioritize projects with the greatest impact, assign developers to projects and support them as they work, and engage with stakeholders to understand requirements and refine proposals.

The key activities are:

• Lead in the design, development, implementation, integration, and maintenance of AI applications;
• Lead in testing, debugging, and quality assurance activities;
• Define and document client requirements;
• Advise developers and engineers on the best approach to problems, ensuring quality documentation, project specifications, reports;
• Train and upskill colleagues, contribute to overall team leadership by advising on strategic direction and other technical objectives.

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

A university degree in computer science or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

An advanced degree is considered an asset.

• 8+ years experience developing and maintaining software applications using modern programming languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, Python, and C#;
• 3+ years experience with large language models and related orchestrations frameworks and agents;
• Significant* experience with System Development Life Cycles (SDLC) methodologies;
• Significant* experience conducting, testing debugging, and documentation for application systems;
• Experience in managing other developers and guiding workflows across a team;
• Experience in stakeholder relations and project scoping.

*Significant experience is defined as having the depth and breadth of experience that would normally have been gained performing the duties over a period of five (5) years or more.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

English and Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

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

• Knowledge of current and emerging trends and technologies in generative AI, LLM orchestration, machine learning, natural language processing, and responsible AI practices;
• Knowledge of software design, development, testing and integration;
• Ability to research and analyze complex IT issues as well as provide sound advice and expertise to clients, other team members, and management;
• Ability to write technical documents.
• Technology support - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 3)
• Technology support - Results orientation (Level 3)

Competency Profile(s)

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

In addition, the incumbent who meets the language requirements will receive the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 per year.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including:

• robust pension plan
• comprehensive health and dental coverage
• disability and life insurance
• office closure at the end of December
• additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employerand 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:21 August 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time