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About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission.

CSE is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. This isn’t just an ideal, it’s crucial to our mission. Find out about our workplace culture, including our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Become part of our team and you’ll understand why CSE is the most important organization you’ve never heard of.

Job summary

Join CSE for an opportunity like no other at the heart of Canada’s national security and intelligence community. Work in a team that contributes on meaningful projects which have a significant impact on Canada’s security posture (including Cyber Security and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)) and ensuring the safety of Canadians.

As a software developer you’ll be responsible for finding solutions to interesting and complex technical problems. We’ll provide you with the opportunity to collaborate with others and contribute to a supportive team environment.

We are looking for entry-level, intermediate, and experienced software developers who wish to work in a continuous learning culture, who look to apply and expand their current knowledge, and who are excited to build reliable and creative solutions to meet their clients’ unique needs and fulfill CSE’s mandate.

CSE is seeking passionate people from a diverse range of backgrounds, who will thrive working in an open-minded environment and value the different perspectives of others. If you’re excited about what we do and working with us but are not sure you’re 100% there yet, please don’t let that stop you from applying.

What to Expect

1. The process will be conducted in the official language of your choice.
2. You will be sent a technical test for each of the programing languages identified in your application. These tests will be used as tools to screen you in or out of the process based on your knowledge of these languages. Make sure to check your spam/junk mailbox regularly for notification of the test.
3. Should you be successful in your technical test(s), your application will be circulated to various hiring managers.
4. If a hiring manager expresses interest in your candidate profile, you will be contacted to schedule an initial interview.
   • Your application will remain available to hiring managers for a maximum of 3 months.
   • If a manager does not express interest in your application within this timeframe, your application will expire.
5. If you are successful in your initial interview, you will be asked to participate in one or more technical interview(s).
6. We will request your references (2 current or past supervisors or managers) if you are successful in the interview stage.

Salary

To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental & pension plans, etc.) visit the Compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

The majority of our jobs are in Ottawa, Ontario. CSE has two accessible facilities. Flexible work arrangements, including telework for a portion of the work week, may be possible.

Conditions of employment

A valid Enhanced Reliability Status (ERS) or an Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

For more information about our hiring process, visit our hiring process and security page on our website.

Essential qualifications

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must have either one of the following:

• A professional certification, college diploma or university degree in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to) Software Engineering Technician, Computer System Technology, Computer Science, Engineering (e.g. Computer, Software, Electrical), Mathematics; or
• A secondary school diploma and relevant experience a field related to the position (as above).

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.

Experience

Programming experience in one (at a minimum) or more of the following:

• Designing
• Developing
• Testing
• Deploying
• Maintaining, or
• Improving

software with at least one modern language such as but not limited to Java, C, C++, Python, or modern web languages and frameworks.

Recent graduates should note that school projects can be considered as relevant experience.

Official language requirements

English essential; OR

Bilingual imperative: BBB/BBB

Competencies

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

Technical competencies

• Application Development
• Knowledge of Information Technology (IT)

Behavioural competencies

• Cognitive thinking skills
• Working in a team

Leadership competencies

• Change and innovation

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in. You will not be eliminated if you do not meet or possess these qualifications. However, if you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement.

Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.

Asset experience

• Experience in the field of Cyber Security
• Experience working with Cloud Technologies
• Experience working with Modern Software Development Architectures
• Experience working in DevOps
• Experience working with Databases

Asset competencies

The following asset technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

Asset technical competencies

• Knowledge of the Software Development Process
• Cyber Security
• Data Storage Design
• Data Administration & Management
• Infrastructure / Platforms
• Knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming
• Knowledge of the Quality Assurance Process
• Knowledge of Software Reverse Engineering
• Project Management
• System Integration
• Telecommunications (Data & Voice) Networks
• Web Design and Development
• Geospatial Systems Technology

Asset behavioural competencies

• Accountability/autonomy
• Interactive communication
• Service

Asset leadership competencies

• Achieving results
• Collaboration
• Integrity, respect and awareness
• Lead and motivate
• Strategy and vision

Operational requirements

Overtime and standby duty may be required.

How to apply

You may submit your candidacy online by selecting “Apply” at the top or bottom of this page.

If you cannot apply online or have a disability preventing you from applying online, please inform us by email at careers-carrieres@cse-cst.gc.ca prior to the closing date of this selection process.

Important information

Assessments of candidates are conducted in the official language of their choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to one, or more, designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

Please note the Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.