As a Supervisor in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, you will lead a team of engineers and technicians while managing technical projects that support Defence capabilities. You will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, testing, and selection of materials and metallurgical processes used in military equipment, infrastructure, and systems. Your work directly impacts the quality, durability, and performance of equipment used by Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
In this supervisory role, you will combine technical expertise with people management skills. Your responsibilities include directing your team's work, ensuring quality standards are met, managing budgets and timelines, conducting performance evaluations, and contributing to strategic planning within your department. You will collaborate with other engineering disciplines, procurement specialists, and operational stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges.
You will work in laboratories, test facilities, and office environments at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) locations or other DND establishments. The role offers the opportunity to apply your materials engineering knowledge to real-world defence applications while developing leadership capabilities within the federal public service.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily metallurgical and materials engineering operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Technical analysis, Design and drafting tools (CAD), Project management, Regulatory knowledge, Problem-solving, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, materials engineering, or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution. Some positions may accept equivalent work experience in lieu of formal education.
Professional registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with a provincial or territorial engineering regulatory body is highly valued and often preferred. This requires completion of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) exams or equivalent provincial requirements.
Once hired, you will have access to ongoing professional development through the Public Service Learning Network, including courses in project management, leadership, and specialized technical topics. DND supports continuing education and professional membership in organizations such as the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) or ASM International. You may also pursue additional credentials related to advanced materials, quality assurance, or management certifications to support career progression.
Entry Plans
Entry into this supervisory role typically occurs through one of several pathways within the federal Public Service:
Internal Advancement: The most common route is promotion from a Metallurgical and Materials Engineer position (non-supervisory) after demonstrating strong technical performance, team leadership capabilities, and meeting competency requirements for supervisors. Internal competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website.
Public Service Lateral Move: If you hold a supervisory engineering role in another federal department or Crown corporation, you may be eligible to apply for lateral transfers. Your supervisory experience and technical background are valued.
Open Competitions: DND periodically posts open competitions for Supervisor positions that are available to both public servants and external candidates. These competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website and include a formal assessment process.
Student and New Graduate Programs: While entry is typically at the professional engineer level, DND's student work programs and new graduate recruitment initiatives can lead to permanent positions. Participants gain experience and may be selected for supervisory track positions as they progress.
To apply, visit the Government of Canada Jobs website (jobs.gc.ca) and search for positions within DND. Create an account, review position requirements, and submit your application according to the specified deadline and format.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements for supervisory positions in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering are generally limited due to the nature of team leadership responsibilities. However, DND is committed to supporting work-life balance within operational constraints.
Some flexibility may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, including flexible hours (such as starting earlier or later in the day), compressed work weeks in certain circumstances, and occasional telework for administrative and planning duties. However, regular presence on-site is typically required for direct supervision of teams, laboratory oversight, safety management, and collaborative engineering work.
Remote work options are expanding across the federal government. Non-hands-on supervisory duties—such as report writing, scheduling, virtual meetings, and strategic planning—can often be performed remotely. You should discuss specific flexibility arrangements during the recruitment process and with your manager upon hire, as approvals depend on operational requirements, team needs, and departmental policy at your specific DND location.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
