Software Developer and CVR Specialist

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: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Aerospace

Classification: RCO

Tenure: Continuing

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.

The role

We are looking for a Software Developer and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Specialist to join our Aerospace Research Centre at the Flight Research Laboratory’s (FRL) Flight Recorder Playback Center (FRPC). You would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The FRPC provides flight recorder data and audio recovery and analysis services to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). These services can be provided for either the annual evaluation of flight data recorder (FDR) systems and cockpit voice recorders (CVR) systems, or in the context of military aircraft accidents and incidents investigations. The FRPC can recover and analyze recordings from a variety of recording systems from different manufacturers, installed across the RCAF’s multiple fleets.

As a Software Developer and CVR Specialist, you will develop and maintain software tools at NRC and maintain those provided by recorder manufacturers for playing back and processing flight data and audio downloaded from FDRs and CVRs. You will manage the facility’s internal computer network and coordinate with the corporate IT team from NRC as needed. You will also become NRC’s subject-matter expert for CVR systems, including conducting annual CVR audio evaluations for RCAF aircraft.

FDR and CVR data downloads could arrive daily. You will manage the associated workflow and prepare analysis reports within established timeframes.

Your work will involve:

• Developing, maintaining and enhancing FRPC software tools and databases using Qt, C++, Python, Microsoft Access and VBA;
• Maintaining FRPC procedures, equipment documentation, specialized external software and internal IT systems—including legacy and current Windows environments, basic network administration, and data backup and recovery;
• Conducting annual CVR audio evaluations for RCAF aircraft;
• Supporting CVR requirements development and assessment for new RCAF aircraft acquisitions;
• Supporting flight-recorder data and audio recovery activities, including from crash-damaged recorders, in collaboration with the FRPC Facility Manager and NRC IT team; and
• Participating in a rotating on-call schedule with other engineers, including occasional work outside regular business hours.

The ideal candidate will be an organized and adaptable problem solver with strong software-development, computer networking, data-analysis and technical-reporting skills. The candidate will be comfortable working with legacy and modern computer systems, specialized flight-recorder software, and audio hardware systems and analysis procedures. The ideal candidate will be an innovative problem solver who enjoys working hands-on with facilities as well as network and computer systems while collaborating with scientists, engineers, and clients to advance flight safety and Canada’s aerospace research capabilities.

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

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, electronics or another discipline relevant to the position.

A masters’ degree or specialized training in a relevant technical field will be considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Recent experience developing and maintaining software applications, tools, scripts using C++, Python, Qt or similar software technologies; and
• Experience in processing, validating, analyzing and reporting on technical, engineering or scientific data, including preparing technical reports, visualizations or briefings for clients.

Assets:

• Basic experience configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting computer systems, operating systems, specialized technical equipment, data storage and backup/recovery systems;
• Experience with audio hardware, audio-recording systems or audio analysis;
• Experience working with flight data recorders or cockpit voice recorders.

Condition of employment

Secret clearance

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.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of software development and maintenance, including coding, debugging, testing, and documentation of C++, Python and/or Qt for technical applications and data-processing;
• Knowledge of configuring and troubleshooting legacy and current computer systems, various operating systems, storage, backups, and data recovery;
• Knowledge of database concepts, including data structures, queries, data integrity, and routine maintenance of Microsoft Access and VBA for managing, retrieving and reporting of data;
• Knowledge of network hardware, connectivity, shared resources, user access management, and basic network troubleshooting; and
• Basic knowledge of the audio recording process, hardware systems and audio signal fundamentals, including audio quality, gain, headroom, noise and distortion.

Behavioural competencies

• Technology extension - Client focus (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Communication (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 2)
• Technology extension - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Technology support - Initiative (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profiles: Technology Extension; Technology Support

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-1/RCO-2 level, which is a junior-career level position with a salary range of $64,739 to $116,641.

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 the requisition number (26251) to:

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 4506454208

Closing Date: 16 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.