C-GE-102 - Software Developer Intern – GUI Framework, Services and User Experience (UX) 

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: C-GE-102 - Software Developer Intern – GUI Framework, Services and User Experience (UX)

Company: CAE

Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME (Intern)

Category: Software Engineering / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-08T00:00:00

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on the development of software for flight simulator instructor stations, emphasizing GUI frameworks, services, and user experience (UX).

• The role involves close collaboration with UI/UX designers and developers from various disciplines to create and enhance the user interface for flight training and evaluation systems.

• Responsibilities include participating in the full software development lifecycle, from analysis and design to coding, testing, validation, and integration of simulation platforms and their associated user interfaces.

• Candidates will gain hands-on experience with technologies such as WPF control libraries, web interactive modules, animated transitions, and design patterns within an agile team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title suggests a "Software Developer Intern" role, the emphasis on GUI Framework, Services, and User Experience (UX) indicates a specialized track within software development. The responsibilities clearly point towards front-end development and UI/UX integration, making it less of a general software engineering role and more focused on the user-facing aspects of the simulation software.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with UI/UX Designers and cross-functional development teams to create and refine instructor station software for flight simulators.

• Actively participate in the analysis, design, coding, testing, validation, and integration phases for the simulation platform and its user interface (GUI).

• Develop and integrate various UI elements, including WPF control libraries, web interactive modules, animated transitions, and established design patterns.

• Thoroughly test and debug UI content to ensure adherence to design specifications, performance benchmarks, and reliability requirements.

• Implement test harnesses and infrastructure frameworks to support automated testing procedures for UI components and functionalities.

• Work effectively within an agile team structure, contributing to sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.

• Contribute to the development and integration of software services that support the GUI and overall application functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on UI development, testing, and integration within a simulated environment. The mention of "services" suggests an understanding of how front-end components interact with back-end systems, which is crucial for a comprehensive GUI framework role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent technical program. Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience, ideally including academic projects or prior internships in software development or UI/UX.

• Demonstrated experience in developing UI elements, including familiarity with design patterns and interactive modules. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in English writing skills.

• Developed analytical skills for problem-solving and system design.

• Strong ability to foster communication and teamwork.

• Commitment, professionalism, and good judgment in project execution.

• Self-motivated, innovative, and able to work independently.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, MS Project).

• Knowledge of French language is required. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in instructional systems or eLearning development.

• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS).

• Experience with multimedia development applications.

• Familiarity with WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) control libraries.

• Understanding of web interactive modules and animated transitions.

• Experience working in an agile team environment.

• Knowledge of C# or other relevant programming languages for GUI development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both English and French proficiency is significant for roles based in Montreal, Canada, reflecting the bilingual nature of the region and the company's potential client base. The inclusion of Microsoft Office proficiency, while common, is specifically noted for its application in project management and documentation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate academic projects or previous work showcasing UI/GUI development, including code samples or interactive prototypes.

• Highlight projects where analytical skills were applied to solve complex software development challenges.

• Provide examples of contributions to team-based projects, illustrating collaboration and communication effectiveness within a development context.

• Showcase any experience with simulation software, flight systems, or complex interactive platforms, even if from academic work. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you documented your design choices and development process for academic projects.

• Evidence of participation in testing and debugging cycles, detailing the methodologies used.

• Any experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) for managing code and collaborative development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the portfolio expectation is typically focused on academic projects rather than professional deliverables. Applicants should curate coursework that best demonstrates their grasp of UI/UX principles, software development cycles, and collaborative abilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Internship salary is determined based on the number of years of university study and/or cumulative credits. While not explicitly stated, typical intern salaries in Montreal for technical roles range from CAD $20 to $30 per hour, depending on the year of study and specific skills. Benefits:

• Flexible schedules and work-from-home policy, offering a hybrid work arrangement.

• Access to an open-concept workspace designed for collaboration.

• Possibility of permanent employment or contract extension post-internship.

• STM (Société de transport de Montréal) access on campus.

• Free on-site parking for cars and bikes.

• Participation in a running club and other sports activities.

• Access to changing rooms and showers.

• Use of a panoramic terrace open during Summer and Fall.

• Reimbursement of internship costs up to $250 per intern upon presentation of supporting documents. Working Hours:

• Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling options and a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is directly tied to academic progression, a common practice for internships. The benefits package is quite comprehensive for an intern role, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance, further supported by the hybrid work arrangement and flexible schedules.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Aviation Training & Simulation. CAE is a global leader in providing simulation and training solutions for civil aviation, defense, and security.

Company Size: CAE is a large enterprise, with thousands of employees worldwide. This internship offers exposure to a global, established organization with significant R&D capabilities.

Founded: 1947. With a long history, CAE has a strong foundation in innovation and a well-established reputation in its core markets.

Team Structure:

• The intern will join a specialized software development team focused on instructor station software for flight simulators.

• Reporting structure likely involves a direct manager or team lead, with close collaboration with UI/UX designers and other software engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with teams responsible for flight simulation physics, hardware integration, and overall system architecture. Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile development framework, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.

• Emphasis on data-driven design and testing to ensure the performance and reliability of the GUI and simulation platform.

• Focus on user-centric design principles to create intuitive and effective training tools for flight instructors.

Company Website: https://www.cae.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: CAE's mission to "make the world a safer place" through simulation and training provides a strong purpose-driven context for this role. The large company size suggests opportunities for structured learning and exposure to robust processes, while the specialized team focuses on a critical component of their product suite.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position designed for university students. It provides foundational experience in software development, specifically within the specialized fields of GUI frameworks, services, and user experience.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a designated team lead or manager within the software development department, working closely with experienced developers and UI/UX designers.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is typically measured through contributions to specific project modules and learning outcomes, the work on instructor station software is critical for CAE's flight simulation products. Successful development of intuitive and reliable interfaces directly supports the effectiveness of pilot training programs globally, contributing to CAE's mission of enhancing safety and efficiency in aviation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in GUI development, WPF, web technologies, and user experience design within the aerospace domain.

• Industry Exposure: Gain practical experience in the highly regulated and technologically advanced aerospace and defense industry.

• Networking: Build professional connections with experienced engineers, designers, and managers at a global industry leader.

• Potential for Future Employment: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time roles or extended internships, providing a potential pathway for career advancement within CAE.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a valuable learning experience and a potential stepping stone into the aerospace technology sector. The emphasis is on skill acquisition and practical application within a specialized domain, rather than immediate project ownership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The internship will be carried out in a hybrid mode, combining remote work with on-site presence at the CAE Montreal office. The office environment is described as an "open concept workspace."

Office Location(s): CAE Montreal, specifically at 8585 Cote-De-Liesse, QC, Canada. This location offers amenities like free parking and STM access.

Workspace Context:

• The open-concept workspace is designed to foster collaboration and spontaneous interactions among team members.

• Access to necessary operations tools and technology will be provided by the company to support development tasks.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the operations team, including developers and UI/UX designers, will be ample, especially during on-site days.

Work Schedule: Full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling and a hybrid work arrangement allowing for remote work, balancing project demands with personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "open concept workspace" combined with a hybrid model suggests a dynamic work environment that balances focused individual work with collaborative team activities. The flexibility in scheduling and remote work is a significant perk for interns.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, potentially including an automated screening for keywords and qualifications.

• Technical Interview: Likely to involve questions on software development principles, programming concepts (e.g., C#, WPF, web technologies), and problem-solving scenarios. Candidates may be asked to discuss their academic projects.

• Behavioral/Fit Interview: Assessment of communication skills, teamwork ability, motivation, and cultural fit with CAE's values. French language proficiency might be assessed here or through a separate test.

• Portfolio Review: Discussion of relevant academic projects, code samples, or UI/UX design work presented by the candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Focus on 1-3 projects that best showcase your UI development, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

• Showcase UI/UX: If you have UI mockups, wireframes, or interactive prototypes, highlight them. Explain your design process, rationale, and any user feedback incorporated.

• Code Samples: Be prepared to share code snippets (e.g., from GitHub) that demonstrate your proficiency in relevant languages or frameworks (like C# or WPF concepts). Explain the functionality and your contribution.

• Explain Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, challenges faced, and solutions implemented in team projects.

• Language Skills: Be ready to discuss your English and French language abilities and how you've applied them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem-Solving: Practice coding challenges related to algorithms, data structures, and UI logic.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions asking how you would approach specific development tasks or resolve technical issues.

• Agile Concepts: Familiarize yourself with agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and be ready to discuss your understanding and experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the interview process will heavily weigh academic performance and potential. Demonstrating a strong foundation in software engineering principles, enthusiasm for UI/UX, and good communication skills will be key. The bilingual requirement is a critical factor.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• GUI Frameworks: WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) is explicitly mentioned, indicating a strong focus on .NET-based UI development.

• Web Technologies: Experience with web interactive modules suggests familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or related frameworks.

• Programming Languages: While not explicitly stated, C# is highly probable given the .NET ecosystem and WPF. Python or other scripting languages might be used for testing or services.

• Development Environment: Likely Visual Studio IDE.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for performance testing and debugging of UI elements.

• Potentially tools for tracking user interaction within the simulation interface. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this development role, but understanding how the instructor station software integrates with broader training management systems might be beneficial.

• Version Control: Git (or similar) for code management and collaboration.

• Agile Project Management Tools: Jira, Azure DevOps, or similar for task tracking and sprint management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of WPF is a key technical indicator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with or understanding of this framework, even if it's theoretical from coursework. Familiarity with .NET development principles is also highly recommended.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety & Mission Readiness: A core value at CAE, fostering a sense of responsibility and precision in all development efforts.

• Innovation: Encouraging bold ideas and leveraging advanced technologies to drive progress.

• Collaboration: Working together across disciplines and geographies to achieve shared goals.

• Customer Focus: Understanding and meeting the critical needs of aviation and defense clients.

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards in all operations.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates in an agile manner, promoting open communication, iterative feedback, and shared problem-solving.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring effective communication with UI/UX designers, other software engineers, and potentially domain experts.

• A culture of knowledge sharing is likely encouraged, with opportunities to learn from experienced team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: CAE's emphasis on safety and mission readiness provides a unique context for software development. Interns should demonstrate an understanding of the critical nature of their work and its impact on operational safety.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Learning Curve: Adapting to new technologies (WPF, specific simulation software architecture) and development processes within a short internship period.

• Complex Systems: Understanding and contributing to sophisticated flight simulation software that integrates multiple complex systems.

• Bilingual Requirement: Effectively communicating and collaborating in both English and French, especially in a technical context.

• Hybrid Work Model: Balancing remote work with on-site team collaboration and ensuring consistent productivity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Gaining practical experience with WPF, GUI design patterns, and potentially C#/.NET development.

• Industry Insight: Understanding the intricacies of the aerospace and defense simulation sector.

• Agile Methodologies: Hands-on application of agile principles in a professional setting.

• Professional Development: Enhancing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through real-world project involvement.

• Networking: Building relationships with industry professionals that could lead to future career opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in gaining specialized, practical experience in a high-demand field and industry. The challenges presented are typical for internships but are framed as opportunities for skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Technical: "Describe your experience with object-oriented programming and how it applies to UI development." "How would you approach debugging a UI issue in a complex application like a flight simulator?" "What are the advantages of using WPF for building user interfaces?" "Explain the principles of responsive design and how they might apply to an instructor station."

• Behavioral: "Describe a challenging team project you worked on and how you navigated it." "How do you stay motivated when working on complex or repetitive tasks?" "How do you handle constructive criticism on your code or designs?" "How would you manage your time effectively between remote work and on-site collaboration?"

• Company/Role Specific: "Why are you interested in CAE and this specific internship role?" "What do you know about flight simulation technology?" "How do your English and French language skills align with the requirements of this role?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research CAE's mission, recent news, and product lines. Understand their commitment to safety and innovation.

• Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with CAE's stated values (collaboration, integrity, innovation).

• Think about how you would contribute to a team that values precision and reliability. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, discuss: the problem/goal, your role and contributions, the technologies used, challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcome/learnings.

• Visuals: Use screenshots, mockups, or live demos if possible to illustrate your work.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a limited timeframe.

• Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for software development, UI/UX, and the opportunity to contribute to CAE's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, interviewers will be looking for a combination of technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, strong communication (especially bilingualism), and a keen interest in the aerospace and simulation industry. Demonstrating an understanding of the impact of reliable software in safety-critical applications is a plus.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided career portal link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight coursework, academic projects, and any relevant skills related to software development, UI/GUI, C#, WPF, agile methodologies, and your English and French language proficiency. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 1-3 strong academic projects that best demonstrate your UI development capabilities, analytical skills, and teamwork. Be ready to discuss them in detail, including code samples or visual representations.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for technical questions on software development principles and specific technologies (WPF, C#), as well as behavioral questions assessing teamwork, problem-solving, and motivation. Practice articulating your responses clearly in both English and French.

• Research CAE: Understand the company's mission, values, products, and recent achievements, particularly in simulation and training. Be ready to explain why you are a good fit for CAE's culture and this specific internship.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.