Head of Hardware in Winnipeg

WORK ARRANGEMENT: Onsite by default. Up to 2 days remote per week after the first 6 months, subject to controlled-data handling constraints and lab access. Full onsite presence during bring-up, qualification, and flight-test campaigns.

SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Must be eligible for security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

THE ROLE: This role defines the hardware roadmap and avionics architecture for SkyCan's autonomous UAV platforms, spanning flight control electronics, power, sensors, payload electronics, and datalink. You will lead, hire, and mentor PCB, RF, and lab technician staff as the division scales, own the electronics bill of materials and component strategy, and establish hardware design assurance and environmental qualification practices. You will direct hardware development from concept through mass production, including Design for Manufacturing, Design for Test, DVT/PVT campaigns, and production test strategy, coordinating with the other R&D heads on integration, requirements, and production handoff.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN:

• System architecture: Define the hardware roadmap and avionics architecture for autonomous UAV platforms — flight control electronics, power, sensors, payload electronics, and datalink. The roadmap must accommodate multiple propulsion architectures across programs (combustion on some platforms, electric on others), not a single company-wide standard.
• Team leadership: Lead, hire, and mentor PCB, RF, and lab technician staff as the division scales. Run design reviews, own the hardware program schedule, and coordinate with the other R&D heads — Software & Perception, Airframe & Mechanical, V&V/Airworthiness and Safety, Systems, Manufacturing, and IT — on integration, requirements, and production handoff.
• BOM and component strategy: Own the electronics bill of materials and component selection, including supplier qualification, second-sourcing, obsolescence management, and support of SkyCan's domestic content targets and export-control-conscious sourcing.
• Safety and compliance: Establish hardware design assurance practices modelled after DO-254. Plan environmental and EMI qualification to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 methods.
• Lifecycle management: Direct hardware development from concept through mass production — Design for Manufacturing, Design for Test, DVT/PVT campaigns, and production test strategy.

WHAT YOU BRING — TECHNICAL:

• Digital electronics (EXPERT): MCU-based design (STM32 or similar), high-speed digital design, and companion-computer integration.
• PCB design and layout (EXPERT): Multi-layer stack-up, signal integrity, controlled impedance routing, and EMI/EMC-aware layout per IPC-2221.
• Analog electronics (DEEP): Precision analog signal conditioning (sensor front-ends, ADC/DAC interfaces), low-noise amplifier design, filtering for IMU/GNSS analog chains, mixed-signal layout, and noise isolation.
• Avionics, sensors and payloads (DEEP): IMU/GNSS/LiDAR nav-sensor integration and design and customization of mission payload electronics. Fluency in I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, RS-485, RS-232, and Ethernet.
• Power distribution and electrical systems (DEEP): High-current distribution, thermal management of power stages, and energy budgeting against endurance and range targets across multiple propulsion architectures.
• Environmental and reliability engineering (DEEP): Design for thermal, vibration, shock, ingress, and EMI protection; EMI hardening and shielding; reliability prediction and derating; qualification test planning to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
• Design assurance and verification (PROFICIENT): Practical experience establishing and applying hardware design assurance modelled after DO-254.
• RF and datalink integration (PROFICIENT): Integration and oversight of secure/encrypted C2 and video transmission links.
• Component engineering and sourcing (PROFICIENT): BOM ownership, supplier qualification, second-source strategy, obsolescence and lifecycle management.
• Test and bring-up infrastructure (PROFICIENT): Design and maintain HIL rig hardware, sensor/actuator interface harnesses, and flight controller bring-up jigs.
• Contested-environment design (WORKING KNOWLEDGE): Architecture-level awareness of GNSS anti-jam and anti-spoof approaches.
• FPGA and SoC design (ASSET): FPGA or SoC development for sensor interfacing, video pipelines, or signal processing acceleration.

QUALIFICATIONS & BACKGROUND:

• Experience: 12+ years in electrical hardware design with a strong focus on robotics, aerospace, defence, or automotive mechatronics. Minimum 3 years in a lead, principal, or engineering-management role with direct reports.
• Verification: Hands-on experience with Worst-Case Circuit Analysis, FMEA, EMI/EMC troubleshooting, DVT/PVT test planning, and environmental qualification testing.
• Security: Eligible for CGP security assessment. Existing CGP registration or a federal security clearance is an asset.
• Education: MASc or BASc in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Engineering Physics, or equivalent experience. P.Eng is an asset.

CERTIFICATIONS (ASSETS): Existing federal security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one, IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Certificate, Transport Canada Level 1 Complex Operations.

WHY SKYCAN: Ownership of a technical division at a company moving from prototype to volume production. Platforms that are fielded operationally, with direct feedback from operators. A purpose-built facility with dedicated lab, integration, and test infrastructure. Competitive base salary, employee benefits, and paid time off.

SkyCan Systems Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make hiring decisions on merit, without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, or disability. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

This position involves access to controlled goods and controlled technology. Successful candidates must be eligible for and complete a security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program, and may be required to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance. Eligibility is assessed under Canadian law and does not require Canadian work experience.