Quality Assurance Technician

Location: Ottawa, Canada (on-site)
Reports to: Manufacturing Engineering & Quality Manager

Role status: Existing role

About RBR: Making waves since 1973

At RBR, we’ve been designing cutting-edge instruments to measure our blue planet for over 50 years. Built to withstand some of the harshest environments on Earth, our instruments are deployed from the ocean’s deepest trenches to the polar ice caps, capturing essential data on water temperature, salinity, pH, and more. This data empowers researchers in the global fight against climate change, and our technology supports groundbreaking science with partners like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Woods Hole, the Scripps Institution, and the British Antarctic Survey.

At RBR, we care deeply about our work, each other, the environment, and the global communities we serve. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and having fun along the way. From Friday lunches to social events, we’re a crew that thrives on taking on complex and exciting challenges that have a meaningful impact on the blue planet! Ready to make waves with us? Apply below!

About the role

RBR is seeking a meticulous Quality Assurance Technician. In this role, you are responsible for the rigorous inspection and verification of mechanical and electronic assemblies, to ensure they meet our exacting standards for deep-sea deployment. Further, you will maintain records and monitor the ongoing quality of these parts.

You will act as a critical quality gate, ensuring that all raw materials, electronic components, and custom-machined parts meet rigorous specifications before they enter the build process. By ensuring that products are built correctly from the start, you will be a key driver in maintaining the high precision, initial quality, and continued reliability RBR is known for.

What you'll do

• Front-End Quality Gating: Perform detailed incoming inspections on raw materials, PCBA components, and custom-machined housings to ensure 100% compliance with specifications before production release.

• Documentation & Record Keeping: Create and maintain precise quality records, including inspection reports, material certifications, and non-conformance logs.

• Supplier Quality Monitoring: Establish and monitor quality metrics for external vendors and contract manufacturers to ensure the consistency of outsourced components

• Technical Verification: Use precision measurement tools and CAD data to verify that high-tolerance mechanical parts meet requirements for waterproof and pressure-rated assemblies.

• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to identify recurring component defects and work with the engineering team to implement corrective actions at the source.

What you bring

• Technician or Technology diploma from a relevant diploma is preferred.

• 8+ years of experience in quality assurance or inspection, preferably in electronics or precision instrument manufacturing.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, assembly, soldering, and bonding.

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings with high accuracy.

• Experience with Microsoft Office and familiarity with PLM/ERP/MRP systems.

• Understanding of quality systems and standards such as ISO 9001, IPC-A-610, etc.

• Strong problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and a collaborative spirit.

Nice to haves

• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.

• Experience with waterproof or pressure-rated assemblies and oceanographic equipment.

• Knowledge of IPC standards for electronic assembly.

• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other improvement methodologies.

• Understanding of electronics and environmental testing protocols.

Salary range: $60,000-$75,000 + bonus
The final salary and job level will depend on your experience and qualifications. We know great talent shows up at different points in a career - whether you’re earlier in your journey or bring senior-level experience, we encourage you to apply. Depending on fit, the role level may shift accordingly.

Current perks at RBR

🌴 20 days of vacation, plus a company-wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days

🩺 Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

💰 Company-wide bonus program

🏋🏽 Annual fitness reimbursement program

🚴 Greener commuting incentive program (bike-to-work, carpool, or transit passes)

🚗 EV reimbursement program + on-site charging stations

💝 Charitable donation matching

🌮 Weekly lunches (on us)!

🐶 Dog-friendly office (recently launched)

🎉 Team events and social activities

🎯 Purpose-driven customers – Partner with organizations making a meaningful difference in science, sustainability, and the world

🌐 Make a real impact – Contribute to a business that’s growing internationally and whose products are used in groundbreaking climate science, resource management, and exploration

🤝 Innovative & supportive culture – Work in a collaborative environment, where sales, engineering, production and the rest of our teams work together to drive success

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace, we are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We seek to recruit the best and most talented people for the job. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

AI statement: At RBR, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools during parts of our hiring process. These tools may be used to support note-taking, scheduling, and/or organizing candidate information. Final hiring decisions are made by our people.