General Dynamics Mission Systems–CanadaVerified Job Source

Intermediate ISTAR Software Developer

Ottawa, ON
Hybrid
Posted Sep 1, 2026
1 position

$75,000–$85,000 / year

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Senior · 5+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Apply by: Feb 28, 2027
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Seniority: Entry level

Job summary

Design, implement, and verify software components for ISTAR capabilities within a tactical network for the Canadian Army. Support the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, coding, testing, and providing mentorship to junior team members.

Job details

Build bold. Deliver impact. Win together. At General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, we’re not just engineering technology — we’re shaping the future of defence and security. Our teams design and deliver advanced, mission-critical solutions that enhance national security, strengthen communities, and protect the people we serve. If you’re looking for meaningful work that contributes to a safer, more secure world, you’ll find purpose here. Every day, your skills will directly impact programs that matter. Job Description The LC4ISR ISTAR team is seeking an intermediate level Software Engineer to support delivery of critical capabilities for the Canadian Army. You will be working with a multidisciplinary engineering team to deliver Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Target Acquisition and Surveillance (ISTAR) capabilities into a fully integrated tactical network, capable of providing flexible, multi-role and combat-capable communications, command and control. You will be part of an agile development team that is responsible for designing, implementing and verifying software components for ISTAR commanders and operators. As a team developer, you will support all stages of the software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, system architecture and design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. This role requires on-site work at our Ottawa office and customer locations within the National Capital Region, with flexibility to work remotely when necessary. Occasional travel may be required to support customer field trials. Responsibilities As part of the Agile development team, you will: Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code according to coding standards and best practices. Plan and coordinate feature development. Implement software components that integrate sensors into ISTAR solutions. Participate in software code reviews. Develop and perform software tests, and debug software. Identify, analyze, document, and resolve issues and defects throughout the product life cycle. Support verification and validation test events, including customer field trials. Provide leadership and mentorship to more junior team members. Stay up-to-date on industry developments, tools, and technologies to advance your skills and support team growth. Perform related duties as assigned Qualifications The following are qualifications for P2 SW team members: Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline. 5+ years experience developing system software. Experience working on development projects with a disciplined approach to software engineering. Proficiency in Java. Knowledge of MVC (Model-View-Controller) and MVVM (Model-View-View-Model) Strong problem-solving, debugging, and troubleshooting skills. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Familiarity with software configuration management tools and the Agile software process. Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment. Effective time management skills to meet schedule and budget targets. Experience working with communication protocols and message exchange patterns (e.g., ZeroMQ, REST), as well as data serialization formats (e.g., protobuf, JSON). Familiarity with Interface Control Documents for sensor systems would be an asset. Experience working with object-oriented programming and design patterns. Experience working with or familiarity with AI/ML models is preferred. Must be a Canadian citizen with 15 years of consecutive residence in Canada. Must be able to obtain and maintain Canadian Security Clearance and a positive Controlled Goods Assessment Additional Information What We Offer The hiring range for this position is $75,000 to $85,000 CAD annual. Our goal is to provide a fair and competitive offer based on an assessment of internal equity and your qualifications, including: Relevant experience Technical and non-technical skills Education and certifications Our Benefits: At General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, we prioritize work-life balance. As a fulltime regular/term employee, you can enjoy a supportive, friendly and respectful environment with a competitive total rewards package. Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your eligible dependents, from day one of employment at no cost to you. Flexible benefit options available (including HCSA). Emergency medical travel insurance. 24/7 virtual health care services. Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – counselling, life coaching, lifestyle change support, and financial planning. Onsite fitness facilities & employee resource groups. Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP) with employer contributions after 3 months of service. Access to financial advisors for investment advice and comprehensive financial planning. Voluntary Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) accessible from day one. Flexible time away to rest and renew with vacation, holidays, vacation purchase plan and parental leaves (with top up options). Sick leave and disability programs. Grow your career your way with free access to a learning platform offering a wide range of courses and resources. Educational Assistance Program to support formal learning. Self-directed mentoring opportunities. Reimbursement for professional and industry-related memberships and dues. Employee discounts on travel, home and auto insurance, as well as services and activities. Free onsite parking. Annual scholarship program for children of GD employees. Employee social clubs and recreational activities. Why join us? Purposeful Innovation: You’ll work on innovations that genuinely make a difference. You’ll apply advanced thinking, design expertise, and practical problem-solving to help equip military and allied forces with leading-edge systems. You’ll be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the defence sector, contributing to next-generation technologies in an environment that celebrates creativity, new ideas, and modern solutions. Connection: We believe people do their best work when they feel they belong, and their ideas can flourish. Different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking help us innovate and grow. Strong relationships with our teammates help us unite, overcome challenges, and deliver the world-class quality we’re known for. Here, we are committed to inclusivity and ensures every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. Challenging and Rewarding Career Pathways: Your career path matters to us. From mentorship and regular check-ins with your leader to educational support, professional certifications, and continuous training, you’ll have the resources you need to thrive. We encourage internal mobility so you can explore different business areas, broaden your skillset, and expand your network. You’ll be working on high-profile, impactful projects that challenge your skills, expand your expertise, and allow you to both learn from mentors and guide others along the way. Accommodation If you require accommodation during any stage of the application process, please contact Human Resources via recruitment@gd-ms.ca. Closing Date We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science and 5+ years of experience in system software development with proficiency in Java. Candidates must be Canadian citizens with 15 years of consecutive residence and be able to obtain security clearance.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage • Dental Coverage • Vision Coverage • Health Spending Account • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance • Virtual Health Care Services • Employee & Family Assistance Program • Onsite Fitness Facilities • Defined Contribution Pension Plan • Financial Planning Advice • Voluntary RRSP • Vacation • Holidays • Vacation Purchase Plan • Parental Leaves • Sick Leave • Disability Programs • Learning Platform Access • Educational Assistance Program • Professional Membership Reimbursement • Employee Discounts • Free Onsite Parking • Annual Scholarship Program for Children • Employee Social Clubs