Derek Gowanlock in

Derek Gowanlock

Login to view DISC.
Director AURORA SHIELD Program at National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
📍 Canada

Derek Gowanlock is the Director of the AURORA SHIELD Program at the National Research Council Canada, focusing on autonomous flight systems. A former Commanding Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and a graduate of the National Test Pilot School, he has over 20 years of experience in flight test and certification, previously serving as Chief Engineer for the CP-140 Aurora fleet.

Derek has held a passion for aviation since childhood, sparked by receiving books about the Apollo program from NASA at age five. He is an active member of the Vertical Flight Society, frequently attending forums to stay current on international vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology and developments.

He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth IIs Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his service as a Lieutenant-Colonel.

Read the full overview →
Experience
22 Years
Current Role
Director AURORA SHIELD Program
Job Level
Mid-senior
Location
Canada
Personality Overview

How Derek shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

Login to view personality overview.
Priorities

Topics Derek cares about

Autonomous Flight
He leads projects like the Canadian Vertical Lift Autonomy Demonstration (CVLAD), developing systems that give helicopters decision-making authority to fly and land themselves, even in degraded visual environments.
Drone Technology
His work on the AURORA SHIELD program and previous military experience involves leveraging drone and counter-drone capabilities for dual-use commercial and defense applications.
+5 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

12-2025
Director AURORA SHIELD Program
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
1-2017 - 4-2026
Manager Canadian Vertical Lift Autonomy Demonstration Project
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
2-2016
Research Flight Test Engineer
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
7-2014 - 2-2016
Commanding Officer CANSOFCOM Headquarters
Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
7-2012 - 7-2014
Commanding Officer, 1 Air Maintenance Squadron
Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
In the press

Media appearances

No media yetWe could not find public media appearances for this person.
Education
2009 - 2010
Joint Command and Staff Program
Canadian Forces College
2002 - 2003
Rotary Wing Flight Test
National Test Pilot School
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

Dominance, influence, steadiness, and calculativeness scores with guidance on how this person prefers to communicate and decide.

Login to view DISC.

Other National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals.

Jean Leger
Jean Leger
Industrial Technology Advisor
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
 Jaspreet Wadhen
Jaspreet Wadhen
Project Manager/Scrum Master- MS Dynamics Rollout
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
 Heather-Anne MacLean, MBA, OCAP
Heather-Anne MacLean, MBA, OCAP
Industrial Technology Advisor (IRAP)
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Allison Bennett Irion
Allison Bennett Irion
Board Member
Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM)
HK
Halle Krypell
Social Media Marketing Manager
Charles Krypell Fine Jewelry
 Jeff Fenwick
Jeff Fenwick
Director Of Development
Trilogy
 Blake Ellerbusch
Blake Ellerbusch
Paid Media and Performance Marketing Coordinator
Cargill
Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Derek. Free, 10 seconds.