Avionics, Maintenance and Instrumentation Technologist

National Research Council Canada•Montreal, QC

3d•CA$83,435 - CA$107,838•Hybrid

About The Position

The NRC is seeking an Avionics, Maintenance and Instrumentation Technologist to support advanced research and development within the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and RPAS Traffic Management (RTM) team at the Centre for Drone Innovation (CDI). This role is part of the Aerospace Research Centre’s new Drone and Flight Autonomy Laboratory (DFAL), which aims to enhance Canada's capabilities in researching, developing, testing, and validating advanced drone technologies. The successful candidate will work closely with engineers, researchers, and flight test personnel, contributing to aircraft system integration, ground testing, and flight test campaigns involving advanced aircraft technologies. This includes tasks such as avionics integration, sensor payload integration, electrical system troubleshooting, instrumentation installation, and verifying aircraft system performance. The role will also support the preparation of aircraft systems for experimental flight operations and ongoing research programs in advanced autonomy, sensor systems, and unmanned aircraft technologies. The NRC is recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a Top Employer in the National Capital Region, and one of Forbes Canada’s Best Employers.

Requirements

College Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Avionics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Robotics, Mechatronics or related discipline.
Transport Canada AME-E (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) certification is essential.
Significant hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting and maintaining avionics systems and aircraft electrical systems.
Specific experience working with wiring harnesses, avionics components, sensors, motors, autopilot computer, and telemetry system onboard uncrewed aircraft systems (UAVs) is highly desirable.
Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and technical drawings.
Experience performing diagnostics and troubleshooting of avionics or instrumentation systems.
Experience supporting aircraft maintenance or experimental aircraft development activities.
Must be able to obtain a Secret clearance, which requires verification of background information over a period of 10 years and sufficient residency in Canada.
Proficiency in English or French.

Nice To Haves

Electronics/Avionics licence.
Experience working with flight-test instrumentation systems including sensors, data-acquisition systems or telemetry equipment.
Experience working on remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or autonomous aircraft platforms.
Experience supporting flight-test engineering activities.
Ability to fabricate and repair custom mounts and payload bays made of metal, wood plastic and/or composite materials, using appropriate prototyping techniques (e.g. machine tools, 3D printing, laser cutter, etc.) to support integration of novel experimental sensor suites.
Ability to design, populate and integrate custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

Responsibilities

Support aircraft system integration, ground testing, and flight test campaigns involving advanced aircraft technologies.
Perform avionics integration and sensor payload integration.
Troubleshoot electrical systems.
Install instrumentation.
Verify aircraft system performance during development and testing activities.
Contribute to the preparation of aircraft systems for experimental flight operations.
Support ongoing research programs in advanced autonomy, sensor systems, and unmanned aircraft technologies.