Digital Payload & Networking System Engineer

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Digital Payload & Networking System Engineer to join their Satellite Systems team in Montreal. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge telecommunications projects that push the boundaries of space exploration. You will be responsible for defining payload architectures and leading cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-capacity satellite systems. Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and excellence, and contribute to groundbreaking missions that shape the future of space technology. If you are ready to take your career to new heights, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care

Flexible drug plans

Dental and vision benefits

Disability income protection

Life insurance

Group retirement savings plans

Employee and family assistance program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in digital communication applications in the space domain.
• Expertise in networking and RF radio communications.

Responsibilities

• Define payload and onboard processor architecture for satellite systems.
• Lead technical projects and end-to-end systems engineering activities.

Skills

Networking (Ethernet + TCP/IP + MPLS)

RF Radio Communications (DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2)

FPGA Design Concepts

Embedded Software Concepts

Systems Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Requirements Management Tools (DOORS/Windchill/Jama)

Test Equipment

Job description

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: DIGIT008986

Apply now

• Posted : May 2, 2025
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) 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 MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK 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.

Are you ready to launch the next stage of your career in the new space economy? We would love to hear from you!

We’re on the hunt for a Digital Payload & Networking System Engineeron our Satellite systems team at our Montreal office.

As the leading global independent commercial supplier of antennas, payloads, and electronics for communication and radar satellites, our team has successfully contributed to hundreds of missions in the past 60 years. With an extensive heritage in a wide range of solutions delivered to customers globally, our Satellite Systems team continues to grow and evolve on the ground and in the stars.

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.

Role:

As part of the System Engineering Department, the Digital Payload System engineer will be responsible for the definition of Payload and onboard processor architecture development, Requirements, Verification, Validation definition & implementation in support of MDA Digital Telecommunication satellite payloads.

Tasks:

The System engineer will perform, be responsible and participate in the following tasks and activities:

• Support/lead technical projects and end-to-end telecommunications systems engineering activities via satellite providing flexibility in terms of connectivity and capacity.
• Trade-off studies to design and develop digital Payloads (regenerative or transparent) equipped with digital processor and phased array antennas, aligning with the customer and/or Program objectives for high-capacity multiple beams systems & Flexible payloads
• Lead and develop requirement specifications, requirement management and associated payload performance analysis
• Lead a cross-disciplinary team to converge on payload CONOPs & methodology/functionality in accordance with the program requirements.
• Maintain the design verification & validation matrices over the course of the program life cycle
• Support the development of Payload Operation Manuals and associated training.
• Develop and support In-Orbit Test (IOT) and anomaly resolution.

Must haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering or higher in a relevant field
• At least 10+ years of relevant practical experience in digital communication commercial application in the space domain
• Expertise in networking (Ethernet + TCP\IP + MPLS)
• Expertise in RF radio communications (DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2)
• Good understanding of FPGA design concepts & Embedded Software concepts, preferably using embedded Linux
• Systems Engineering experience of complex space and ground segment systems

Complementary skills/knowledge:

• Previous experience in Constellation Operations
• Integration and lab testing expertise in Networking and, RF radio communications
• Knowledge of Test equipement :
  • Packet generation/recording
  • DVB modems
  • Channel emulators for impairments
• Knowledge of requirements Management tools such as DOORS/Windchill/Jama
• Demonstrated capability to efficiently work autonomously and with little to no supervision
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English, knowledge of French will be considered favorably

#LI-PP1 #SP

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) and ITAR.

Benefits statement:

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.

Equal opportunity statement:

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.