We are looking for a Program Lead to provide strategic leadership for AD ASTRA — the Advanced Defence Airborne Science and Technology Research Accelerator — the NRC’s newest defence research aircraft and a state-of-the-art flying laboratory for advanced airborne research and technology demonstration.
Based on a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, AD ASTRA will enable the testing, validation and demonstration of advanced defence and security technologies in realistic airborne environments. The platform will support research in areas such as intelligence, secure communications, electronic warfare, advanced sensing, mission systems integration, and related technologies of strategic importance to Canada.
Reporting to the Director of Research and Development for the Flight Research Laboratory, the Program Lead will be responsible for defining, building and operationalizing the AD ASTRA Program in consultation with internal and external partners. The successful candidate will lead the development of the Program’s strategic direction, governance, partnerships, research priorities, operational model, performance metrics and delivery approach.
As Program Lead, you will convene and lead multidisciplinary teams of research, technical, engineering, flight operations, business development and program management professionals from across the NRC. You will work closely with federal partners, industry, academia, defence and security stakeholders, and other research organizations to ensure the aircraft is used effectively as a national platform for high-impact research, experimentation and technology acceleration.
Under your leadership, the AD ASTRA Program will leverage the NRC’s established aerospace capabilities, specialized facilities, technical expertise and national and international networks.
The Program will help advance Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem by connecting emerging technologies, operational needs, scientific expertise and airborne test capability to accelerate solutions that matter to Canada and its allies.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative and results-oriented leader who can operate in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and who shares the NRC’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity. This is an opportunity to shape a nationally significant research program and enable the next generation of airborne defence science and technology for Canada.
