Innovation Program Management Assistant (Co-op Student)
The Opportunity
- Employment Type: Co-op Student
- Number of vacancies: 3
General Company Information
Kinectrics is the category leader in providing life cycle management services for the nuclear industry (mainly nuclear power generation as well as the transmission and distribution of electricity). Trusted by clients worldwide, our expertise in engineering, consultancy, testing, inspection, and certification is backed by our independent laboratory and testing facilities, a diverse fleet of field inspection equipment, and an award-winning team of over 1,000 engineers, scientists, and technical experts.
Kinectrics is a key player in the nuclear industry, which is rapidly growing, creating new jobs, and making a significant impact on our world. Nuclear is a virtually emissions-free source of energy helping countries meet their net-zero goals and combat climate change. Additionally, the industry is saving lives through the production of medical radioisotopes, providing hope in the fight against diseases like cancer. With its remarkable potential to produce large amounts of energy sustainably, the nuclear industry is revolutionizing our approach to clean energy and paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
The Kinectrics Innovation Hub is focused on digitization, commercialization, and development of novel products and services. We seek to foster a sustainable company-wide ideation program. Kinectrics pursues collaborations with academia, incubators, and other institutions to adopt technologies and improve productivity, human performance, and quality. The primary purpose of this role is to support the Director, Innovation in the operation of the Innovation Hub.
Visit our website: www.kinectrics.com
A Great Opportunity for You!
Join Kinectrics, the proud recipient of the Best Co-op Employer of the Year Award from McMaster University for the term 2023-2024 and the University of Waterloo Award for Next Generation Employment Innovation at 2024 Canadian HR Awards. Be part of our award-winning team, where innovation thrives, and excellence is celebrated. Explore exciting opportunities to grow and contribute to a dynamic workplace that values talent and dedication. Join us in shaping the future of the nuclear industry and making a meaningful impact in our community. Apply now!
- Nuclear Industry Learning Opportunities:
- Learn about Kinectrics' state-of-the-art technologies.
- Comprehensive technical training on nuclear reactors (CANDU), radiation safety, innovation program management, and other courses will be provided.
- Learn about upcoming innovations and new technologies through regularly scheduled Lunch & Learns and Technical Excellence & Innovation Seminars.
- Networking Opportunities:
- Build rapport and make vital connections with industry leaders and technical experts through networking and mentorship during your work term.
- Gain experience presenting to company executives.
- Opportunities to visit Kinectrics’ state-of-the-art facilities as well as academic and research institutions involved in cutting-edge innovation.
- Priority consideration for Kinectrics’ Graduate Trainee program and full-time opportunities after graduation.
- Company Culture:
- Join a large community of over 50 coop students from different universities and backgrounds, while developing working relations with staff.
- Kinectrics values sustainability, learning & growth, technical excellence & innovation, diversity & inclusion and giving back to our community (e.g., United Way, Young Street Mission, Indigenous engagement).
Job Responsibilities
Overview:
- Technical research and presentations.
- Innovation Project/Program Management.
- Customer, vendor, and internal stakeholder relations.
Accomplish meaningful work that includes (but is not limited to):
- Identification and investigation of new technologies with the potential to provide transformative improvements to Kinectrics operations and/or provide new and innovative products/services for our clients.
- Technologies may include Additive Manufacturing (AM), Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning (AI-ML), Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), smart materials, robotic inspection tools, drones, medical isotopes, nuclear waste management & decommissioning technologies, new sensor and inspection technologies, advanced fission and fusion reactors, and novel testing facilities.
- Developing technical material and business case inputs to support New Product Development (NPD) initiatives. This may include the development of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) assessments, market investigations, or similar activities.
- Monitoring the execution of innovation projects utilizing Kinectrics' tools.
- Supporting the conduct of brainstorming or roadmap sessions with operational teams to help stimulate ideas and find solutions to industry challenges.
- Development of intellectual property (IP) management strategies and IP reviews.
- Supporting operations teams with the development of proposals and funding applications (potentially for multi-million-dollar projects) that involve a specific focus on innovation.
- Liaising with external organizations such as universities, community colleges, the Nuclear Innovation Institute and other innovation clusters.
- Supporting the monitoring and execution of divisional plans for growth and innovation to find solutions to overcome industry challenges.
- Research, trial the use of, and champion new business productivity tools.
- Developing innovation management content within "Hype" and providing some level of artistic creativity in the development and presentation of the authored content within the system. You will develop project monitoring or data analysis tools to support the effective management of innovation projects.
- Research cutting-edge technologies and write as well as present technical white papers to Kinectrics subject matter experts and management.
Required Skills
A successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual with a strong work ethic, passionate about innovation, and comfortable multi-tasking on a variety of initiatives. The ideal candidate can utilize problem-solving and basic research skills to propose ideas and potential solutions to challenges of a technical and management nature.
Skills/qualifications include:
- Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary Engineering, Science, or Entrepreneurship program requiring a co-op placement.
- Graduate students from the M.Eng., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. programs who have substantial undergraduate co-op, industry or research work experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Undergraduate applicants must have at least 3 and preferably 4-5 previous co-op term experiences with an excellent or outstanding employer rating.
- Well-versed in the Microsoft Office suite.
- Demonstrates confidence and drive in completing multiple tasks efficiently and independently.
- Strong written and oral communication skills to express creativity and innovation in a technical as well as business context. Can speak intelligently to operations teams, external vendors, customers, and company executives.
- Strong organizational skills supporting many parallel activities.
- Highly proficient in reading complex technical literature and synthesizing information for company operational teams, external collaborators, customers, or executives.
- Excellent program management skills including people management, development of project charters, and familiarity with project management software.
- Experience with the use of workflow and data management tools like Power BI is desired.
To summarize, we are seeking a versatile candidate with a proven track record of excelling in both hands-on technical work and effectively managing computer-based tasks/roles. This all-rounder should be equally comfortable managing projects, demonstrating strong communication skills, contributing to business development efforts, and drawing from past experience in both hands-on and management roles. We value a candidate who can seamlessly bridge the gap between technical expertise and administrative prowess, bringing a holistic skill set to our team.
Compensation Range
Compensation range is $25 to $32 per hour, determined by factors such as the number of previous co-op terms, the nature of your experience, whether you are pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate program, and if you are currently enrolled in a graduate (e.g, M.Eng., M.A.Sc. or Ph.D.) program with substantial undergraduate co-op term experience or postgraduate work term experience in the industry. We encourage applicants to view this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join our incredible award-winning team in the nuclear industry. Our work is not just groundbreaking; it's life-saving and pivotal in achieving our net-zero goals.
Transportation and Housing: Note that this is an in-person position at our 800 Kipling Avenue, Toronto offices that are accessible by public transit (TTC and Go). Students will need to arrange for their own transportation and housing.
Additional perks
- Games: Get a chance to play different games during lunchtime to refresh yourself for work.
- Fitness: Onsite access to a well-equipped gym at a nominal cost.
- Training and Mentorship: At Kinectrics, we offer a holistic approach to co-op student development. Join our team to gain extensive nuclear training, innovation program management skills, and proficiency in technical and business research. Enjoy free access to a diverse range of online courses, from engineering to project management. Plus, benefit from personalized mentorship by seasoned professionals dedicated to your success. Make your co-op experience a transformative step towards excellence with us.
- Additional Benefits: Join our team for fun, company-wide events such as 'Transitioning into the Workplace,' 'KINNOVATE: Kinectrics Nurturing Innovation and Excellence in Co-op Talent' - an initiative for career and professional development, 'Lunch and Learns,' 'Technical Excellence and Innovation Seminars' led by industry experts, participation in the 'United Way' campaign, contributions to 'Young Street Mission,' board game nights, and many more exciting activities.
Application Instructions
Qualified applicants, please apply directly by sharing cover letter, resume and transcripts in a single file attachment. Please ensure you include all the required information to be considered for this opportunity. Please note only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
Candidates with available 8 or 12-month co-op terms are preferred. Please indicate your availability on your application. Positions available starting Sep 2026. We are an equal-opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
