Aircraft Structural Technician, Structural Integrity

National Research Council Canada • Ottawa, ON

3d • CA$83,435 - CA$107,838 • Onsite

About The Position

This position supports applied research in structural full-scale testing, component testing, and material testing related to air vehicle development, certification, and life extension. Testing is conducted on a wide range of articles, from simple coupons and components to rotorcraft and full-scale aircraft. As an Aircraft Structural Technician in the SMPL Structural Integrity Test Facility, you will play a hands-on role in all practical phases of physical testing, from test setup through to teardown. Working independently and as part of a team, you will support the installation and assembly of test articles and rigs, setup and calibration of control and data acquisition systems, test operations, inspections, and data collection. Following required training and competency verification, you will be responsible for confirming and certifying that test articles, aircraft components, and test setups are correctly configured, assembled, and functioning as required at key stages of testing, including test start, inspection pauses, restarts, and test completion. You will work from engineering orders, drawings, procedures, and specifications, and contribute to the preparation of technical instructions, parts breakdowns, and illustration packages that support safe, high-quality testing. NRC Aerospace provides technical and research services, as well as access to state-of-the-art facilities, to help Canadian businesses grow and to support other government departments in priority areas such as Royal Canadian Air Force fleet airworthiness and research and technology development. This position will support applied research in the areas of structural full-scale testing, component testing and material testing as it applies to air vehicle development, certification and life extension. Tests are carried out on a wide range of test articles ranging from simple coupons to rotorcraft to multimillion dollar aircraft. In this role, you be participating in all practical phases of structural and other physical testing, from test set up to test dear-down in the SMPL Structural Integrity Test Facility. After verifications of competency and relevant training, you will work independently and in teams on assigned testing tasks such as installation, assembly, control and data acquisition system calibration and setup, test operations and data collection. Part of your responsibilities is to certify to the Project Manager through signature that test rig and article assembly have been performed properly and that functionality has been confirmed at test start, inspection pauses and test completion. We are looking for an Aircraft Structural Technician to to support our NRC Aerospace Structures, Materials and Performance Labortoary (SMPL) Structural Integrity Team. This position will support applied research in the areas of structural full scale testing, component testing and material testing as it applies to air vehicle development, certification and life extension. Tests are carried out on a wide range of test articles ranging from simple coupons to rotorcraft to multimillion dollar aircraft.

Requirements

• Certification and extensive experience (7+ years) as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) or Canadian Forces Aviation Systems Technician with expertise in aircraft metallic and composite structures, control surface removal and installation and metal working.
• Extensive experience working on airframe structures, aircraft flight control surface removal, installation and rigging.
• Extensive experience working with pertinent specifications, civilian technical maintenance manuals and / or Canadian Forces Technical Orders.
• Experience with machine shop equipment, practices and quality control techniques.
• Significant experience of visual, close visual and borescope inspections.
• Significant experience in calibration techniques.
• Experience working accurately from mechanical drawings, with an understanding of precision alignment and fitting of components.
• Experience operating overhead cranes, safe hoisting and materiel movement and aircraft maintenance stands.
• Secret clearance
• Ability to work at heights is a requirement.
• Ability to work in conditions found in an ordinary laboratory environment with some (minimal) exposure to hazardous materials or chemicals such as adhesives and cleaning agents. Independently work in such environments in a safe manner, with a working-level tolerance to a typical test environment with enhanced noise levels, heat and reduced air quality.
• Knowledge of mechanical testing and test data collection for both static and fatigue testing.
• Knowledge of hydraulic systems including actuators, servo valves, and pumps.
• Ability to work with machine shop equipment and other fabrication equipment used in fabrication and assembly processes.
• Knowledge of technical orders, service manuals and pertinent specifications.
• Knowledge of NDT techniques including eddy current and Ultrasonic inspection specific to aero applications.
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft fasteners, their applications and installation requirements.

Nice To Haves

• AME-M or AME-S licenses would be considered an asset.
• Preference will be given to those with Royal Canadian Air Force experience.
• Experience working with composites.
• Demonstrated experience of the operation and calibration of MTS servo hydraulic load frames.
• Hands on experience in test control principles, full-scale structural test techniques and in the operation of a direct digital full-scale control and data acquisition systems including the maintenance of mechanical and servo hydraulic sub-systems.
• Knowledge of the operation and calibration of MTS servo hydraulic load frames.
• Knowledge of test control principles, full-scale structural test techniques and in the operation of a direct digital full-scale control and data acquisition systems including the maintenance of mechanical and servo hydraulic sub-systems.
• Knowledge of structural repair, hole cold working techniques used in aero applications.
• AME-M or AME-S license ratings.

Responsibilities

• Play a hands-on role in all practical phases of physical testing, from test setup through to teardown.
• Support the installation and assembly of test articles and rigs.
• Setup and calibration of control and data acquisition systems.
• Test operations, inspections, and data collection.
• Confirming and certifying that test articles, aircraft components, and test setups are correctly configured, assembled, and functioning as required at key stages of testing.
• Work from engineering orders, drawings, procedures, and specifications.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical instructions, parts breakdowns, and illustration packages that support safe, high-quality testing.
• Participate in all practical phases of structural and other physical testing, from test set up to test dear-down in the SMPL Structural Integrity Test Facility.
• Work independently and in teams on assigned testing tasks such as installation, assembly, control and data acquisition system calibration and setup, test operations and data collection.
• Certify to the Project Manager through signature that test rig and article assembly have been performed properly and that functionality has been confirmed at test start, inspection pauses and test completion.

Benefits

• 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.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed