Summer 2027 - Student Opportunities in Mechanical, Electrical, and Radio Frequency Engineering

Cse Cst; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Communications Security Establishment (CSE) in Ottawa offers Summer 2027 student opportunities in Mechanical, Electrical, and RF Engineering. Roles involve schematic capture, PCB layout, testing, and collaboration with CAD and firmware teams.

Open to Canadian citizens with full-time student status. A valid ERS/ETS clearance is required before an offer can be made.

Qualifications

• Must be registered as a full-time student in a recognized post-secondary program.
• ,

Responsibilities

• Schematic capture, PCB layout, and testing PCB prototypes.
• 2
• Analysing test results and troubleshooting PCB issues.
• Collaborate with mechanical CAD, fabrication and firmware teams.

Skills

Cognitive thinking

Interactive communication

Teamwork

Results oriented

Education

Post-secondary student (two years completed)

Tools

Altium Designer

KiCad

SOLIDWORKS

Fusion 360

Oscilloscope

Spectrum analyzer

Signal generator

Software defined radio

Vector network analyzer

LabView

GNU Radio

Python (Jupyter)

Job description

Summer 2027 - Student Opportunities in Mechanical, Electrical, and Radio Frequency Engineering

$23.79 - $38.62

Closing Date:

2026-10-01

Reference number : RF-16976

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission .

Student positions at CSE are unlike most others. We offer both practical and developmental work experience and allow students to be part of meaningful, exciting, projects, with the hope that they will want to join us full-time following their studies.

• Tasks can include schematic capture, PCB layout, testing PCB prototypes, recording and analyzing test results, troubleshooting & diagnosing errors in PCBs, component research, receiving guidance from senior electronics CAD (ECAD) designers, and collaboration with mechanical CAD, fabrication, and firmware representatives.
• Knowledge of Altium Designer (or other ECAD software, e.g. KiCad), and PCB manufacturing methods is an asset.

Mechanical Design

• Tasks can include conceptual design, CAD modelling, production of assembly drawings and fabrication drawings, use of rapid prototyping techniques (e.g. 3D printing), testing of prototype designs, receiving guidance from senior mechanical CAD designers, and collaboration with ECAD and fabrication representatives.
• Knowledge of SOLIDWORKS (or other parametric CAD software, e.g. Fusion 360), design for manufacture, and manufacturing techniques is an asset.

Electronics Fabrication

• Tasks can include conceptualization, design and fabrication of custom solutions for electronic systems using E-CAD and M-CAD design tools.
• Functionality testing and troubleshooting of such systems
• High reliability hand soldering and rework of PCBs, Assemblies, wire harnesses, etc.
• Failure analysis and reliability testing of designs using standard electronic test equipment, thermal imagery and digital radiography.
• Safeguard and modify commercial electronic products for use in secure environments.
• Operation and maintenance of tools and equipment related to semi-automated electronics assembly.
• Knowledge of electromagnetic theory (RF Theory, RF principles), RF component/system design, wireless communication (protocols, modulations, systems), digital signal processing, basic antenna theory.
• Experience with oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, software defined radio, vector network analyzer.
• Experience with LabView, GNU Radio, Python (Jupyter Notebook) for analysis or automation.
• Tasks can include executing tests, testing/measuring RF components and systems, analysing test results, integrating and troubleshoot RF components into larger systems, developing tools for assessing signals.

To find out more about our student salary scale visit the Compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

Ottawa, Ontario. All jobs require full-time onsite presence in one of our two accessible facilities.

A valid Enhanced Reliability Status (ERS) or an Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must be registered as a full-time student in a recognized post-secondary program in a field related to the position.

By the start of the work term, you must have completed at least two years of post secondary studies.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide a transcript from your most recent term. Students graduating prior to, or during, the work term are not eligible to apply.

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

• Cognitive thinking skills
• Interactive communication
• Working in a team
• Achieving results

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to the following designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

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

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.