Test and Design Specialist

National Research Council of Canada; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 83,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Council of Canada in Mirabel (Montreal) leads drone innovation and testing initiatives within the Centre for Drone Innovation. The role focuses on mechanical design, integration, and testing of UAVs, with responsibilities spanning prototyping, safety qualification, and facility management.

The position is at an intermediate-career level with a salary range detailed in the RO/RCO framework; hybrid work arrangements may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in mechanical design and fabrication.
• Hands-on experience installing and integrating modifications on commercial-off-the-shelf components.
• Experience performing stress, vibration, and installation analysis.
• Experience with test instrumentation installation and integration; and
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, 3D printing, and/or fabricating with machine tools.
• Experience operating test equipment and managing maintenance schedules;
• Experience with certification, airworthiness and/or safety of flight qualification;
• Experience managing equipment and/or facilities;
• Experience working with UAVs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, prototyping, and installation of drone and autonomous system components, assemblies, and installations to support ground and flight testing and research activities;
• Analyze the mechanical design of UAV modifications to support the Safety of Flight qualification;
• Lead and support development, management, and maintenance of test equipment, laboratory spaces, test facilities, and prototyping equipment to ensure the equipment and facilities support research needs;
• Support planning, preparation, set-up, and execution of laboratory and flight testing.

Skills

Mechanical design

Fabrication

Test equipment installation

UAV testing

3D printing

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Test instrumentation installation

CNC machines

3D printers

Job description

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.

City: Mirabel (Montreal temporarily)

OrganizationalUnit:Aerospace

Classification:RCO

Duration: until 31 March 2028

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).

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.

Defence Industrial Strategy

The role

We are looking for an intermediate-career Test and Design 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.

The Centre will be a national research and technology development hub that supports every stage of drone innovation—from design and simulation to prototype building, testing and qualification.

The new facility will include but not limited to:

• a new drone hangar and operations centre with direct runway access;
• specialized laboratories;
• indoor and outdoor flight test arenas;
• secure research spaces for specialized projects.to support our Aerospace Research Centre.

This role focuses on the design, integration, and testing Uncrewed Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) and systems; the planning, preparation, and execution of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) tests; and the management, maintenance, and modification of test equipment and facilities. You will contribute to the design, prototyping, and installation of UAV modifications; the safety of flight qualification for UAVs and modifications; the ground and flight testing of custom payloads, autonomous systems, and UAVs; and the management of test equipment, test facilities, and research laboratories.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the mechanical design, prototyping, and installation of drone and autonomous system components, assemblies, and installations to support ground and flight testing and research activities;
• Analyze the mechanical design of UAV modifications to support the Safety of Flight qualification;
• Lead and support development, management, and maintenance of test equipment, laboratory spaces, test facilities, and prototyping equipment to ensure the equipment and facilities support research needs;
• Support planning, preparation, set-up, and execution of laboratory and flight testing.

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

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Proven experience in mechanical design and fabrication;
• Hands-on experience installing and integrating modifications on commercial-off-the-shelf components;
• Experience performing stress, vibration, and installation analysis;
• Experience with test instrumentation installation and integration; and
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, 3D printing, and/or fabricating with machine tools.

Assets:

• Experience operating test equipment and managing maintenance schedules;
• Experience with certification, airworthiness and/or safety of flight qualification;
• Experience managing equipment and/or facilities;
• Experience working with UAVs.

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:

• Knowledge of test engineering processes and principles;
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multi-faceted test facility, laboratory, and test equipment schedules, maintenance, and configurations;
• Ability to generate test plans, test matrices, and test procedures;
• Ability to perform stress analysis;
• Ability to assess UAV modifications for Safety of Flight qualification;
• Ability to write technical reports/memos to support Safety of Flight qualification;
• Ability to extract stakeholder needs to develop test facility and testing requirements; and
• Ability to fabricate components and assemblies using 3D printers, machine tools, and/or CNC machinesis 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(s): Technology Extension

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at theRCO-2, 3 or 4level, which is an intermediate career level position with a salary range of $82,985to $168,192.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

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.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground‑breaking discoveries to a life‑changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Notes

• 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.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (25504) to:

Closing Date: 18 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time