Systems Engineer II

Leonardo DRS; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Wellness program

Flexible hours

Professional development reimbursement

RRSP matching

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in Kanata, ON, is seeking a Systems Engineer to drive design, integration, verification, and validation of complex communications systems across the lifecycle.

You will manage requirements, architect robust networks, and produce government-facing documents while collaborating with hardware, software, and program teams in a defense/aerospace setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 3+ years in defense/aerospace product development.
• Working knowledge of communication protocols and network infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead full systems engineering lifecycle for communications systems.
• Develop and manage system requirements with traceability.
• Design robust, resilient communication architectures.
• Author technical documentation and government deliverables.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and program management teams.
• Support integration/testing and resolve technical issues.
• Contribute to design reviews and risk mitigation.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Network architecture

Technical writing

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

SysML Cameo

DOORS

PLM tools

Python

Windows/Linux

Job description

Location: Kanata, ON, CA, K2V 1C2

DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. (DRS Canada), is a leading mid-tier Canadian defence electronics company specializing in military voice and data communications systems; electro-optics (EO) and infrared search and tracking systems (IRST); command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) systems integration; and defence/space electronics manufacturing.

With four decades of avionics experience, Leonardo DRS is capable of delivering a range of solutions for both rotary and fixed wing aircraft, include flight data recording and crash survival deployable flight incident recorders.

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Manager, Systems Engineering, the Systems Engineer is responsible for the design, development, integration, verification, and validation of complex communications systems across the product lifecycle. The successful candidate will bring a strong systems engineering foundation and the ability to contribute across multiple technical domains — from network architecture and human-machine interface design to requirements management and government-deliverable documentation. This role suits a versatile engineer who thrives in a multidisciplinary defense/aerospace environment and is motivated to broaden their technical footprint.

As a Systems Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Contribute to the full systems engineering lifecycle — requirements definition, design, integration, verification, and validation — for communications systems and associated equipment.
• Develop, decompose, and manage system and subsystem requirements, ensuring traceability from customer specifications through to verification.
• Participate in the design of robust, resilient communication architectures that meet operational, environmental, and industry-standard requirements.
• Author and maintain technical documentation, including specifications, interface documents, test plans, and government deliverable documents.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (hardware, software, integration, and program management) throughout the system lifecycle.
• Support integration and test activities, including analysis of results and resolution of technical issues.
• Contribute to design reviews and technical decision-making, applying sound engineering judgment and configuration discipline.
• Where applicable, incorporate cybersecurity and network-resiliency considerations into system design and documentation

Assets:
The following are considered assets and are not required. We encourage candidates who bring strength in one or more of these areas to apply:

• Cybersecurity — understanding of cybersecurity standards and frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls); familiarity with security technologies (e.g., VPN, SSL/TLS, AES, IDS/IPS); relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CEH).
• UX/UI design — experience designing user interfaces for industrial, automotive, or aviation displays and management/application tools.
• High-resiliency network design — experience designing fault-tolerant, redundant, or high-availability network architectures.
• Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) — experience creating, analyzing, simulating, and maintaining SysML diagrams using Cameo or equivalent tools.
• Communications — experience in various technologies and standards, such as ISDN, SIP, IP L2/L3 protocols, PBX, UCR, LMR (P25/TETRA), and 5G.
• AI — skilled in creating prompts and interacting with AI for engineering-related problem solving, analysis, work acceleration, and automation.
• Naval Domain Knowledge — experience operating in a naval environment; familiarity with defense standards; designing and qualifying equipment for operation in a marine environment.
• Technical writing — experience drafting government deliverable documents (e.g., specifications, trade studies, verification and validation documentation).
• Requirements and lifecycle tooling — experience working with DOORS and PLM tools.
• Experience with scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, Java).
• Familiarity with operating systems such as Windows and Linux.

Salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000 CAD

*Salary range information provided is a general guideline with criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience being considered when presenting an offer.

What you require to be successful in the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in product/project development related to defense/aerospace; equivalent military experience in communications engineering units will be considered.
• Working knowledge of communication protocols and network infrastructure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce technical reports and conduct presentations.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Benefits of working with DRS Canada:

• A motivating team-based environment where your achievements matter
• An opportunity to work on industry leading edge technology
• Flexible work hours and a compressed work week to promote a healthy work/life balance
• Opportunity for Hybrid work based on operational needs
• Industry leading wellness program including:
  • Health, dental, and vision coverage available on first day of hire at no cost to the employee with access to virtual healthcare
  • Access to Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Competitive compensation including:
  • Reimbursement for professional development initiatives and memberships plus access to free online learning resources
  • Registered Retirement Savings Plan with matching company contributions with access to complimentary financial planning
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Maternity and Parental leave top-up
  • Vacation, personal days, sick leave, and additional company paid days off

Security Requirements:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and meet Controlled Goods Clearance requirements and Canadian security clearance; a minimum of 5 years continuous residence in Canada and a police background check are mandatory.

Special needs of candidates with disabilities will be accommodated. DRS is dedicated to Employment Equity. DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

- Integrity
- Agility
- Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Community & Respect
- Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.