Mechatronics Technologist Technical Officer TO-2

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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.

The role

If you would describe yourself as someone who is hands-on, a problem solver and a real team player then we are looking for you.

We are looking for a Mechatronics Technical Officer to support our Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics (HAA) Research Centre at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, BC. The Mechatronics Technical Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.

Join the Astronomy Technology Directorate (ATD) at the HAA Research Centre, and help build leading-edge instrumentation for some of the world’s largest observatories, including the SKA-Mid Correlator and Beamformer system for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and the Advanced Technology ALMA Correlator system for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), as well as local instrumentation for the DRAO telescopes.

The Mechatronics Technical Officer will be responsible for supporting project, operational, and laboratory activities. Working under the guidance of senior technologists and researchers, the successful candidate will contribute to the development and maintenance of radio telescope technologies ranging from legacy systems from the 1960s to modern, state-of-the-art equipment. The work will involve multiple systems, including radio receivers, motion control, and monitoring and control systems.

This position offers a balanced workload that includes engaging design, fabrication, and testing activities, complemented by administrative responsibilities such as inventory management, system documentation, and laboratory oversight. The Mechatronics Technical Officer will be entrusted with assisting in managing specific labs or work areas and supporting project tasks, providing opportunities for skill development and professional growth. Under guidance the successful candidate can expect to perform the following duties:

• Installing, removing, and maintaining telescope instrumentation and equipment at DRAO (working at heights required).
• Troubleshooting and repairing radio telescope systems and complex electronic circuits using appropriate test equipment.
• Designing circuits for communication, monitoring and control, power conditioning, and signal conditioning applications.
• Testing electronic assemblies in the laboratory using instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, and signal generators.
• Designing and implementing data acquisition systems and experimental setups.
• Conducting Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) testing on new and existing devices.
• Building, modifying, and testing shielded enclosures to mitigate RFI leakage.
• Fabricating mounting plates, enclosures, and related components in the metal shop for various projects.
• Assembling electronic components into enclosures and subsystems.
• Documenting existing systems to enhance maintainability using tools such as Visio, SolidWorks, and Microsoft Office to produce schematics, user manuals, and block diagrams.
• Lab or Area management, including responsibilities for inventory management, procurement, and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) compliance.

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 post-secondary education diploma in Mechatronic Engineering, Electronic Engineering.

An equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be considered.

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

Experience

• Experience in assembling and testing electronic and mechanical systems.
• Experience in troubleshooting and repairing electronic and mechanical systems.
• Experience in performing measurements using instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers.
• Hands-on experience in fabricating mounting plates, enclosures, and related components.
• Experience using Computer Aided Drawing software such as Solidworks.
• Experience in generating technical documentation such as schematics, mechanical drawings, test reports and user manuals.

Experience is defined as 2-3 years’ experience.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status
For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

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

• Good understanding of analog and digital circuits, including operational amplifiers, filters, voltage regulators, logic gates, sensors and ADC/DAC circuits.
• Good understanding of mechanical and electromechanical devices such as motors, relays, limit switches.
• Working knowledge of using lab equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers.
• Ability to assist in product design through the generation of manufacturing data packs such as mechanical drawings, schematics and assembly drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate metal components such as enclosures, brackets or mounting plates.
• Demonstrated ability to solder electronic components
• Demonstrated ability to assemble and test complex electronic and mechanical systems
• Demonstrated ability to write technical documents.
• Proficient at following complex instructions such as test procedures or equipment user manuals.
• Comfortable performing complex tasks at height

Considered an asset:

• Basic understanding of radio frequency components.
• Ability to design electronic and mechanical systems.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Research Technician/Technologist

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $55,777 to $78,873 per annum.

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.

About DRAO

DRAO is a major research facility operated by NRC’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Center (HAA). It’s located near Penticton, British Columbia, and is one of Canada’s key centers for radio astronomy and related technologies.

DRAO focuses on both scientific research and technical innovation. Main areas include:

• Radio telescope observations: Studying galaxies, nebulae, supernova remnants, and cosmic magnetic fields.
• Instrumentation development: Designing and building advanced receivers, correlators, and electronics for radio telescopes.
• Interferometry: Using multiple antennas to create high-resolution images of the radio sky.
• Signal processing and calibration: Developing software and hardware to process astronomical data.

DRAO houses several key instruments:

• Synthesis Telescope: A seven-element interferometer that maps large areas of the sky in radio frequencies, particularly in the hydrogen line at 1420MHz.
• 26-m Telescope: A large single-dish radio telescope used for studies of galactic and extragalactic radio sources.
• Solar Radio Monitoring Array: Used to monitor solar radio emissions and space weather.
• Engineering and test facilities: Support prototype development for national and international radio observatories.

DRAO contributes engineering expertise and technology to major international efforts, such as SKA, ALMA, and Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector (CHORD).

About Penticton

Penticton is a beautiful city in the South Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, known for its stunning natural scenery, vineyards, outdoor recreation, and scientific significance (including the nearby Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, operated by the National Research Council of Canada).

Penticton lies between Okanagan Lake (to the north) and Skaha Lake (to the south). It’s surrounded by hills, orchards, and vineyards, creating a unique microclimate ideal for agriculture and tourism. It offers a high quality of life, with opportunities for boating, hiking, cycling, skiing, and wine tasting, as well as a strong arts and culture scene. Its combination of natural beauty, community spirit, and scientific significance makes Penticton one of Canada’s most unique and attractive cities.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• 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.