Defence Scientist

Important messages

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE/ HOW TO APPLY
Please read carefully the following instructions before applying. Candidates who do not follow these instructions may be subject to rejection of their application.
• It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to submit a cover letter, which clearly demonstrates how you meet each of the screening criteria (Education and Experience, both Essential and Asset).
• Please note it is not sufficient to simply state that the qualification is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities.
• You must provide concrete examples, which illustrate how you meet each qualification (Education and Experience, Essential and Asset).
• Please apply the following approach: use each screening qualification as a header and then provide a description outlining when, where and how you meet each qualification.
• Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the education and / or experience described in the cover letter.
• FAILURE TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU MEET THE SCREENING CRITERIA WILL RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR POSSIBLE MISSING INFORMATION.
• Any or all of the criteria under the Asset Qualifications may be used for screening purposes
• The client organization will accept applications on-line only.
• All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System.
• To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below.
• Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the Infotel Service at 1-800-645-5605.
• Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.•

Work environment

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology.
As an agency of Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND), DRDC provides DND, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad.

Intent of the process

Immediate need will be to fill 1 indeterminate position.
A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (term, indeterminate, deployment, assignment, secondment)

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum)

Contact information for 3 references.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:
Graduation with a master's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in engineering with a specialization in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other discipline related to robotics and unmanned systems such as computer science or computer engineering, coupled with acceptable experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Experience with some or all of the basic technical aspects of unmanned systems including vehicle electronics, mechanical and hydraulic systems, software systems, etc.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:
Proficiency in the English language is essential.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of engineering principles as they relate to unmanned systems, such as mechanical and electronic design,, control theory, programming etc.
• Knowledge of scientific method necessary for the conduct of experiments and field trials.

ABILITIES:
• Ability to work as a member of a small R&D team and to provide leadership by displaying a high degree of innovation, creativity, and initiative.
• Ability to plan, organize, co-ordinate, control and evaluate experimental activities and contracted R&D.
• Ability to conceive and employ innovative ideas leading to solutions of problems.
• Ability to carry out research, delivering and reporting results consistently and with efficient use of resources.
• Ability to develop effective collaborative relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively to scientific and client audiences orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively to scientific and client audiences in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Effective interpersonal relationships
• Self-motivation
• Initiative
• Flexibility

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
Graduation with a doctoral degree in engineering from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other discipline related to robotics and unmanned systems such as computer science or computer engineering.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Performance of scientific research in a research and development environment.
• Design and operation of robotic/unmanned systems.
• Experimental design, planning and conduct of field trials and evaluations.
• Design, development and testing of software systems.
• Authorship and Publication of technical reports or peer-reviewed papers.
• Development of project proposals and project management.
• Supervision of technicians, support staff, and/or students in projects.

KNOWLEDGE:
• Familiarity with state of the art in unmanned systems, nationally and internationally.
• Familiarity with the Canadian Armed Forces, their operations, and their equipment requirements.
• Familiarity with specific technical aspects related to unmanned systems, including robot locomotion, image processing, advanced radio communications, machine learning, adaptive control, probability theory, etc.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Employment equity may be used to address the under representation of designated groups.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be willing and able to work in a field setting (non-laboratory) including in adverse weather conditions.
• Must be willing and able to obtain a DND 404 licence.
• Must be willing and able to travel for government business several times per year for periods possibly in excess of one week at a time.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Must be able to obtain and retain a Level II Secret Security clearance.

Other information

• Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
• Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).
• Candidates will be asked to provide proof of their education credentials and proof of citizenship at the assessment stage of this process. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered further in the selection process.
• The assessment of candidates could take the form of one or more of the following: written examinations, interviews, practical exercises, role-plays, behaviour-based questions, situational exercises and reference checks.
• Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application
• Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.
• You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.