About – Aurora Aerial

who we are

Aurora was founded by Alan Tay and Fredrick Petrie.

Alan and Fred are Aviators first, spending their careers across the span of the aviation industry. Both are pilots, Alan professional and Fred private. They love airplanes of all types of flying. But both first received their Wings from the RCAF Air Navigation School. “As Navigators, our mind set is to figure things out and how to get there, whether geographically or figuratively.”

They are also entrepreneurs, as leads or in a team, to take the next flight. We know first-hand the challenges of business and have learned from failures as well as our successes.

Our Team

Alan Tay

CEO

Alan has a Masters in Aviation Management with over 20 years of aviation experience, holding an ATPL with Class 1 Instructor rating.

Alan served as flight crew with the Republic of Singapore Air Force on the C130 Hercules in roles from ASW, SAR and transport throughout southeast Asia, including Afghanistan. After his service, he returned to Canada to acquire a civil ATPL. He then had commercial aviation experience from Specialty Aerial Work to Airline Operation. He developed International flight training programs catering to Asia Pacific clients on behalf of Moncton Flight Centre, Toronto Airways and Mount Royal College. He was instrumental in developing the first online ground school in Canada and Integrated Pilot and Asia Cadet programs. Since 2012, Alan has turned to international trade consulting and development on behalf of major Chinese multi-nationals including Guangdong Aero City Holdings. With Sunward, he was Chief Operating Officer of the aviation group responsible for capital assets over USD 100 million.

In addition to acting as CEO for Aurora Aerial, he takes a lead role in software development through Aurora Aerial (Alberta). He has additional business interests in the Springbank Air Training College and Delphi Aeronautics Group.

Fredrick Petrie

Fred is a life-long aviator. His career spans the Air Force, airlines, airports, consulting, and government, providing policy advice federally and provincially, and he was an industry advocate as Manitoba Aviation Council’s first executive director. As a private pilot of 700 hours, he has logged cross-countries throughout North America.

As an aviation entrepreneur, Fred owned and managed a cargo airline, growing from a single aircraft charter operation to four aircraft in scheduled services, serving as the Accountable Executive, Person Responsible for Maintenance and Operations Manager. As an early dealer in Light Sport Aircraft, he pioneered aircraft sharing. He formed Buoyant Aircraft Systems Inc. to pioneer the commercial use of airships in Canada. With his spouse, he operated travel agencies for fifteen years, qualifying as a Certified Travel Counsellor. For seven years he has owned and manages an airport in the North.

In 2018, he co-founded Aurora Aerial Inc. to commercialize innovative aeronautical technology in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). In 2019 he received the small RPAS Advanced Pilot Certificate.

Over fifty years in the study and practice of Management, he received the Commerce (Honours) degree, completed the MBA program, and undertook pre-doctoral studies, as well as completing senior management training in the public service, qualifying as bilingual.

Tom Lam

Advisor

Phil Ferguson

Advisor

Dr. Philip Ferguson holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto and a Masters and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under the supervision of renowned space engineering and policy professor, Dr. Dava Newman (who served as the Deputy Administrator of NASA under the Obama administration). Dr. Ferguson’s doctoral research focused on astronaut brain modeling to predict control adaption in microgravity. Following graduate school, he developed attitude control systems for small space telescopes at Microsat Systems Canada Inc., eventually becoming the Engineering Manager for all attitude control systems products. Dr. Ferguson then took a position at Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, where he grew into the position of Engineering Manager for the electrical and software engineering teams in support of Magellan’s Space and Defense contracts. At Magellan, he was also the University research programs’ Principal Investigator and the spacecraft power subsystem lead for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites. From 2014 until 2017, Dr. Ferguson was the Vice President of Product Development at Precision Hawk Inc., where he was responsible for all aircraft and payload systems engineering as well as production. He was also active in many of the industrial research programs Precision Hawk conducted to improve the state of the art in UAV systems, remote sensing and airspace safety. Presently, Dr.
Ferguson holds the NSERC / Magellan Aerospace Industrial Research Chair in Satellite Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba.

Peter Wallis

Advisor

Join Our Team

Junior Brand Marketing Team Member

Aurora Aerial is the Next Generation custom aerial solution provider with the vision to “Innovate solutions by integrating emerging technologies into aeronautics to empower clients in meeting tomorrow’s challenges”. Aurora was formed in 2018 by entrepreneurs with fifty plus years managing commercial aviation operations from flight schools and airports to a cargo airline. Our focus is on “Last Mile delivery”, a $30 Billion market. Operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) safely and reliably within complex urban environments with RF and EM interference presents communications and navigation challenges beyond the capability of today’s UAVs (drones).

This team member responsible for brand marketing to deliver campaigns and strategies.

Specific tasks will include:

Analysis of specific products standing in the global
Protect and grow the brand by aligning the brand guidelines, unique selling proposition and key messages across all sales and marketing materials, internally and externally
Develop a thorough understanding of Aurora Aerial current offerings and roadmap
Research and analyze new market/partnership opportunities and business strategies
Execute a brand marketing strategy that compliments the overarching goals and strategy of the business
Understand the competitive landscape and formulate execution plans that allow Aurora to flourish
Work collaboratively with the Engineering and Operations team to execute agreements/transactions/reporting and ensure all partnerships are compliant and meet outlined deliverables and metrics
Deliver marketing strategies, campaigns and documentation to generate partnership leads, including outbound calling to potential partners
Working with Editor in Chief for public relations strategy and engagement, including writing drafts and posting press releases
Build and oversee the company’s social media profiles and presence on all relevant social media platforms
Assist with all aspects of executing marketing events, trade shows, customer events, content and partner sessions

Required Qualifications/Experience:

Post-secondary education in Business or Marketing or Engineering would be an asset
1-2 years’ experience working on a Marketing team for a High Technology or software company, preferably B2B based is considered an asset
Interest and understanding of drone industry or passion on aviation industry
Ability to champion new ideas and develop creative approaches
Must have the hustle and drive to take initiative and make things happen!
Legal to work in Canada
Microsoft Office proficiency

Desired Qualifications/Experience: 2 | P a g e

BS degree in engineering discipline
Experience with development utilizing ALL major Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, iOS)
Unmanned Systems/Autonomy (UAS/Drones, ground vehicles, underwater vehicles)
Experience in integration projects considered an asset
Familiarity with Global Aviation Regulations is considered as Asset
Familiarity with General Aviation Operation is considered as Asset
TC RPAS Pilot Certificate is considered as Asset

Job Types: Part-time, Full Time; Salary: DOE

Canadian & Canada PR is preferred. Language: Must be fluent in English

Benefits: Flexible schedule, Comprehensive Extended Health and Dental Benefits

Working days: Monday to Friday. 25-40 hr per week

Interested applicants, apply to HR@auroraaerial.aero

Integration Software Engineer

Aurora Aerial is seeking a software engineer/programmer to

Develop and integrate a real-time system of systems for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) fault recovery & isolation and health monitoring
Develop and integrate on-edge sensing and computing devices into UAS

Responsibilities

Work with every aspect of unmanned aircraft system; the hardware, the firmware, the software, the peripherals and sensors
Develop and integrate on-edge sensing and computing devices into UAS
Develop and integrate automation safety program into UAS
Reverse-engineer medium to complex electronic boards, modules and systems with the goal of developing improved test capability
Configuration of complex wireless communication systems
Solve problems by crafting software solutions using maintainable, testable and modular code
Collaborate within a team by participating in code reviews and architecture discussions
Write robust, testable code, along with unit, functional, acceptance and/or user tests to validate every change

Required Skills and Knowledge

Proficiency in C/C++ and Python
Experience with UAV autopilot is an asset
Working knowledge of electronics is an asset
Experience working with edge-computing frameworks like, Greengrass preferred

A strong foundation in programming fundamentals, design patterns, object-oriented design principles, unit testing and modern version control flows
Functional understanding of networking protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP.
Functional understanding of serial protocols such as I2C, PWM and RS232.
Understanding of and capable of working in a continuous integration and continuous delivery environment
Have completed at least two courses related to design patterns, networking, operating system and object-oriented programming.

Required Professional Designation/Certification

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering or a related field preferred but not required.

Required Experience

1-3 year Industry experience performing similar technical role preferred but not required.

Company Benefits

Job Types: Part-time, Full Time; Salary: DOE
Canadian & Canada PR is preferred. Language: Must be fluent in English
Benefits: Flexible schedule, Comprehensive Extended Health and Dental Benefits
Working days: Monday to Friday. 25-40 hr per week

Interested? Please email to HR@auroraaerial.aero

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Integration Engineer

Systems development/integration engineer responsible for integration of commercial products relative to Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (Avionics) solutions.

Specific tasks will include:

Analysis of specific products
Integration planning
Component integration (H/W and S/W)
System testing
Documentation (I/F, Use Case, Requirements, Tests, Analysis Reports)

Required Qualifications/Experience:

1-5 years of experience in software/systems design, development, integration
Familiarity with development utilizing ALL major Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, iOS)
Experience in multiple programing languages/environments (C++, Matlab, etc.)
Experience with integration of hardware components (physical/logical)
Knowledge of standard I/F (USB, Ethernet, serial (UART), RC (PWM, etc.)
Knowledge of various messaging format and experience with conversions
API integration/development
Knowledge of data / navigation solutions (GPS/GNSS, RTK, IMU, etc.)
Legal to work in Canada
Secret clearance or ability to obtain clearance
Microsoft Office proficiency

Desired Qualifications/Experience:

BS degree in engineering discipline
Experience with development utilizing ALL major Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, iOS)
Unmanned Systems/Autonomy (UAS/Drones, ground vehicles, underwater vehicles)
Software Defined Radios (SDR)
Secure wireless communications
Familiarity with Transport Canada Part 9 is considered as Asset
Familiarity with Agile development

Job Types: Part-time, Full Time; Salary: DOE

Canadian & Canada PR is preferred. Language: Must be fluent in English

Benefits: Flexible schedule, Comprehensive Extended Health and Dental Benefits

Working days: Monday to Friday. 25-40 hr per week

UAS/RPAs pilot

This is a Permanent Part-time / Full Time Position, Winnipeg, MB Canada

The sky’s the limit for your career at Aurora Aerial. So: take to the skies with us – choose challenge over routine! Aurora is an expanding, innovative company.

Energetic. Innovative. Adventurous. Perceptive. Future oriented. Sound like you? Then we’ve got the right job for you! Aurora Aerial offers a unique opportunity to work for an industry leading company in a dynamic environment. Join us on our journey in the rapidly-growing aerospace industry with its infinite growth potential – become a Aurora professional!

We offer customized integrated solutions that allow our customers to easily perform what they want to do. Our solutions support various industries in making better decisions and optimizing their operations.

We are looking for a passionate Unmanned System (UAS) Operator / Integrator to join the team in Winnipeg. The candidate will be responsible for executing flight operations and providing technical support to customers in the Americas.

TASKS:

Plan and execute flight operations with the Aurora Aerial UAV systems and payloads integration (e.g Photogrammetry, LiDAR, multispectral, thermal) and validate integration options in accordance with SOW.
Conduct demonstrations and provide training to Customers.
Coordinate with aviation authorities to get flights permissions, system compliances, etc.
Plan and execute test flights, future products, and prototypes with development team.
Document test flights, and record results with accuracy and precision.

YOUR SKILLS:

Education in a technical field (aircraft maintenance, electronics, RF programming, etc.)
Ability to work hands-on with small UAV systems, including assembly, disassembly, testing, and troubleshooting.
Ability to work outdoors under various temperature and weather conditions.
Excellent written and verbal communicator, Fluent with English (speaking / writing)
Excellent organizational skills.
Min 18 years old with Driver’s license.
Motivation to travel worldwide for up to 2 weeks duration.
Must be Canadian or Canada Permanent Residence per Transport Canada Regulation

Desirable:

UAV experience or Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate is preferred.
Knowledge of Canadian regulatory operations.
Operating UAVs as a hobbyist or professional pilot will be considered an advantage.
Experience in aerial surveying, spatial data capture and post-processing an asset.

Aurora Aerial stands for diversity and equal rights. None of the above expressions should be discriminatory in terms of age, sex, ancestry, religion, belief or experience. We confirm that we are pleased to accept all applications from candidates of any age, gender, ancestry, religion, belief or experience.

Ready to opt for a challenge?

Send your resume to hr@auroraaerial.aero now!

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