Priority may 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: Automotive and Surface Transportation
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 Vehicle Power and Energy Systems Engineer to support the Automotive and Surface Transportation (AST) Research Centre. The successful candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.
NRC Automotive and Surface Transportation (AST) Research Centre has the mandate to advance product and process technologies for producing more efficient, safe, affordable and environmentally responsible ground vehicles, and to deliver engineering solutions to complex technology challenges facing today’s surface transportation industries including automotive, heavy and specialized vehicles, and rail.
The engineer will contribute to the development, integration, testing, validation, and demonstration of advanced vehicle systems for automotive, commercial vehicle, rail, and other ground transportation applications.
The primary responsibility of the candidate is to support the goals of NRC and the Research Centre in providing Canadians access to research, scientific knowledge, and technologies for innovation in ground transportation. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team environment with researchers and technical experts in unique research facilities and in the field. The candidate will be responsible for developing, conducting, coordinating, and reporting on research and engineering projects related to vehicle systems architecture, power and energy systems integration, energy management, and the validation of advanced transportation technologies.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
- Author, review, and critique research plans, detailed work plans, technical reports, and technical papers
- Lead and support research projects involving vehicle systems integration, energy management, controls, and advanced transportation technologies.
- Develop and evaluate vehicle architectures and integrated systems involving propulsion, energy storage, thermal management, power distribution, and control systems.
- Apply systems engineering principles including requirements development, interface management, system integration, verification, and validation activities.
- Conduct vehicle-level performance assessments and optimization analyses to improve efficiency, safety, reliability, and operational effectiveness.
- Assist in the development of research proposals including collaboration with industry partners, scope definition, research planning, and funding estimates.
- Interpret and analyze experimental, simulation, and operational data and develop robust conclusions and recommendations.
- Conduct literature reviews and technology assessments related to advanced vehicle systems, energy management strategies, and emerging transportation technologies.
- Present research findings in technical forums including conferences, seminars, standards committees, and working groups.
- Support technology transfer and engagement with industrial, academic, and government stakeholders.
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
Ph.D. in Engineering, Applied Science or a field relevant to the position.
A Master’s Degree in Engineering combined with experience in research or technology development relevant to the position may also be considered.
For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency
Experience
- Experience developing, integrating, and validating complete vehicle systems and architectures for advanced transportation applications, including electrified, hybrid, hydrogen, and other emerging vehicle platforms.
- Experience integrating multiple vehicle subsystems, such as propulsion, energy storage, thermal management, controls, and power distribution systems, into complete vehicle or prototype platforms.
- Experience designing, implementing, testing, and validating vehicle power management, control, or energy systems, including the analysis of vehicle-level performance and system optimization.
- Experience developing vehicle system architectures, requirements, interfaces, integration plans, and associated engineering documentation using systems engineering principles.
- Experience developing research directions, technology roadmaps, or strategic plans related to advanced vehicle propulsion, energy systems, or transportation decarbonization.
- Experience developing proposals and maintaining collaborations with industry, academic, and government partners that have resulted in significant funding, intellectual property, publications, or other research impacts.
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 advanced vehicle power and energy systems, including propulsion, energy storage, thermal management, controls, and power distribution technologies.
- Ability to develop, integrate, and validate complex vehicle systems and architectures using systems engineering principles.
- Knowledge of technical, regulatory, and safety requirements associated with electrified, hydrogen, and other advanced transportation technologies.
- Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks associated with advanced vehicle energy systems, including high-voltage electrical and hydrogen technologies.
- Ability to analyze technical data and evaluate vehicle-level performance to support engineering and research decisions.
Behavioural competencies
- Research - Communication (Level 2)
- Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
- Research - Initiative (Level 3)
- Research - Results orientation (Level 3)
- Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
Competency Profile(s)
For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Research.
View all competency profiles
Compensation
The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-2 level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 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
- Travel may be required.
- 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 (26051) to:
E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Telephone: 514-206-9802
Closing Date: 13 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 Careers module from your NRC computer.
