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Home · MDA Space Canada · Satellite Bus Systems Engineer

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space.

 

Role overview:

MDA is looking for a Satellite Bus System Engineer (Grade 32) to support the definition, design, integration, verification and on‑orbit activities of the platform subsystems (structure, thermal, power‑distribution, attitude‑control, propulsion, C&DH, TT&C/PDT, flight‑software and payload interfaces) for current and next‑generation remote‑sensing and communications satellites. The engineer works under the direction of senior system engineers and contributes technical expertise while gaining exposure to the full spacecraft‑bus life‑cycle.

 

Tasks summary:

Architecture Concept & Requirements

  • Assist in translating mission‑level requirements (CONOPs, mass, volume, power, envelope, pointing, lifetime, redundancy, reliability, …) into system requirements and allocating them to the relevant platform subsystems.
  • Contribute to the Platform Architecture Description Document, Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and Design Description drafts.
  • Perform requirement entry and help maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the program life‑cycle using MDA’s requirement‑management tools.

Concept Trade & Feasibility

  • Participate in trade‑study teams for structural approaches, thermal‑control concepts (MLI, heat‑pipes, radiators, …) and power‑generation options (solar‑array & battery technologies).
  • Prepare data, run baseline analyses, and document results for senior engineers’ review.

Detailed Design

  • Support detailed design work on major subsystems (structures, TCS, EPS, PROP, C&DH, C&T, GNC, payload interfaces).
  • Assist in FMEA/FMECA, FDIR, fault‑tree analysis and reliability/availability predictions.
  • Verify that subsystem designs satisfy allocated mission and payload requirements.
  • Help maintain platform‑level performance budgets (mass, power, thermal, pointing).
  • Provide support to the FSW and Satellite Reference Database (SRDB) development teams.

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

  • Prepare technical status slides and risk summaries for internal reviews; present findings when asked.
  • Work with senior engineers to negotiate and update ICDs with payload teams and other platform subsystems.
  • Contribute to DC & RF harness layout and overall platform/payload arrangement studies.
  • Support B&P activities (Phase 0 & pre‑Phase A) by supplying analysis artefacts and documentation.

Integration & Verification (IVV)

  • Draft verification plans, test matrices and validation procedures for unit‑ and subsystem‑level tests.
  • Coordinate or assist with execution of:
    • Structural vibration, acoustic and shock testing
    • Thermal‑vacuum (TVAC) & Thermal‑control (TCT) testing
    • Power‑distribution functional tests
    • Closed‑loop avionics test‑bed runs
     
  • Provide hands‑on support for FSW integration and for troubleshooting during test campaigns.

    Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

    • Help maintain platform‑wide standards (structural margins, thermal‑control limits, power‑bus architecture, redundancy philosophy, …).
    • Ensure that all artefacts, analyses, software and documentation are version‑controlled in the PLM environment.
    • Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR) by preparing review packages and tracking action items.
    • Contribute to technology road‑mapping and innovation studies when requested.

    Launch‑Site, On‑Orbit & Operations Support

    • Assist the Launch‑Site Interface Engineer in preparing check‑lists, pre‑launch checkout procedures and early‑orbit checkout scripts.
    • Provide real‑time engineering support during launch, on‑orbit commissioning and anomaly investigations, escalating issues to senior staff as needed.
    • Support SOOH (Satellite Operations‑On‑Ground) development and help prepare operator‑training material.

     

     Required Qualifications:

    • Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics with 2+ years of system design experience on LEO/MEO/GEO platforms.
    • Deep knowledge of spacecraft bus subsystems and their interactions.
    • Experience with power‑electronics design and high‑precision attitude‑control hardware.
    • Strong understanding of aerospace system engineering fundamentals
    • Hands-on individual who can support systems integration processes and capability to test systems and resolve problems
    • Experience with Confluence and JIRA
    • Demonstrated capability to efficiently work with little supervision
    • Ability to distill complex problems to fundamentals to solve with analysis, similarity, or creativity
    • Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of French will be considered an asset (Contact with clients outside Quebec and work on deliverables in English).

     

    Comments/Special Considerations:

    Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

    We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

    We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.

    MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.

    MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process.  Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.