Computer Specialist, Data-Driven Systems Programmer

National Research Council Canada • Saskatoon, SK

8d • CA$86,503 - CA$108,068 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Computer Specialist, you will support the design, development and maintenance of data‑driven frameworks and digital tools that integrate sensors, IoT devices, and growth chamber hardware to optimize controlled environment agriculture. You will enable automated monitoring, decision-making, and responsive feedback control systems to improve crop productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability. Through innovation in software engineering, data analytics, and automation technologies, you are intended to advance intelligent agricultural systems for next-generation crop production environments.

Working collaboratively with NRC researchers, engineers, and external partners, you will help establish NRC as a global leader in digital agriculture and controlled environment research.

Requirements

• A Master of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Systems Engineering, or related discipline relevant to the position. An acceptable combination of a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field and significant experience (minimum of two years) in systems and data engineering may also be considered
• Significant and recent experience designing, developing, and optimizing data-driven systems integrating sensors, IoT devices, and automated control hardware for controlled or precision environment applications (e.g., growth chambers, greenhouses, vertical farms, or industrial automation systems).
• Significant and recent experience developing computational frameworks, digital platforms, or software tools that support real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and automated decision-making in research or production environments.
• Significant and recent experience in system integration and interoperability, including developing APIs, communication protocols, and data pipelines connecting heterogeneous hardware and software systems across cloud, edge, or on-premises infrastructures.
• Significant experience in managing, processing, and analyzing large, multifactorial datasets from environmental sensors, imaging systems, and biological measurements to generate actionable insights for system optimization or predictive modeling.
• Significant and recent experience in the design, deployment, and calibration of distributed sensor networks and IoT-based monitoring systems for environmental or process control applications.
• Experience in ensuring compliance with data governance, cybersecurity, and FAIR data management practices within research or industrial digital infrastructure.
• Recent experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams involving engineers, data scientists, and domain researchers to deliver integrated, data-driven solutions and digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience in preparing technical documentation, system specifications, and reports to support reproducibility, transparency, and knowledge sharing within collaborative research or development environments.
• Solid knowledge of automated and data-driven systems, including smart technologies, automation and control frameworks, and digital platforms that support real-time monitoring and decision-making.
• Solid knowledge of sensor networks, including the design, deployment, and calibration of distributed sensor arrays for environmental or process monitoring. Skills in configuring and maintaining sensor communication protocols (e.g., MQTT, Modbus, or Zigbee) and integrating sensor data into centralized computing systems.
• Strong knowledge of developing and integrating application programming interfaces (APIs) for communication between heterogeneous hardware and software systems, ensuring interoperability and scalability across platforms (e.g., cloud-based analytics, edge devices, and on-premises control systems).
• Strong knowledge of programming and scripting skills in languages such as Python, C/C++, R, Java, or JavaScript, for data processing and analysis.
• Knowledge of cloud and edge computing platforms for processing, storing, and visualizing large volumes of sensor and environmental data.
• Knowledge of data management and governance principles, including FAIR data practices (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), cybersecurity, and organizational data protection requirements for digital research infrastructure.
• Knowledge of translating complex system requirements into digital solutions, applying system modeling, signal processing, and control algorithms to represent physical or biological processes within computational frameworks.
• Knowledge of networked system architecture, including IoT gateways, edge computing nodes, and secure data transmission across hybrid infrastructures.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, user‑focused applications.

Responsibilities

• Development of Indoor Smart Farming Frameworks: Designs, develops, and maintains computational frameworks, digital platforms, and software systems that enable indoor smart farming and precision agriculture, ensuring alignment with NRC research objectives and client needs.
• Data Management and Integration: Establishes and maintains robust systems for the acquisition, transfer, processing, and integration of indoor agricultural data from multiple sources (e.g., sensors, IoT devices, imaging devices, growth chambers, crop metrics) to support data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics.
• Technical Support and Troubleshooting: Provides specialized technical support and problem-solving expertise to researchers, engineers, and partners on computing infrastructure, monitoring systems, data pipelines, and analytical tools used in agricultural crop research and development.
• System Optimization and Performance Monitoring: Evaluates and optimizes computing environments and digital agriculture platforms to ensure efficient data flow, security, and system performance across NRC and partner networks.
• Compliance and Data Governance: Ensures that all data handling, storage, and transfer practices comply with NRC’s data governance standards, cybersecurity policies, and relevant legislative frameworks.
• System Integration and Interoperability: Develops and implements solutions for integrating indoor smart farming applications with existing hardware and software systems using APIs, communication protocols, and interoperability standards. Ensures seamless data exchange between growth chamber devices, cloud-based tools, and research platforms.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepares clear technical documentation, system specifications, and project reports to support reproducibility, transparency, and effective knowledge sharing within the research team and across NRC.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities for technological innovation and improvement in smart farming systems, recommending and implementing solutions that enhance research capabilities and outcomes

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level