Satellite Bus Systems Engineer

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation; Quebec; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

MDA Space in Canada is seeking a Satellite Bus System Engineer to lead the design of structural, thermal, power, attitude control and interface architecture for current and next-generation satellites. You will define, integrate, verify and support on-orbit operations across platform subsystems, ensuring compliance with mission requirements and MDAbest-practice processes.

Responsibilities include translating mission requirements into subsystem allocations, creating ICDs, managing requirements

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with 5–10 years of system design on space 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 with systems integration, testing and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Translate mission requirements into system-level requirements and allocate to subsystems.
• Develop Platform Architecture Description Documents, ICDs and Design Descriptions.
• Lead requirement management with bidirectional traceability throughout programs.
• Lead trade studies for structural, thermal, power and attitude-control concepts.
• Oversee detailed design and support verification and on-orbit activities.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and manage interfaces with payload and platform subsystems.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with customers and vendors.
• Ensure artefacts are version controlled and support test campaigns.

Skills

System engineering

Architecture design

Requirements tracing

Technical communication

Problem solving

Education

BSc in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

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 seeking a Satellite Bus System Engineer to design structural, thermal, power distribution, attitude control, propulsion, CD&H, TT&C/PDT, FSW and interface architecture that supports payloads and mission‑operations for current and next‑generation remote sensing and communications satellites. The role leads the definition, design, integration, verification and on‑orbit support of the platform subsystems, ensuring compliance to mission requirements and MDAbest‑practice processes.

• Translate mission‑level requirements (CONOPs, mass, volume, power, envelope, pointing, lifetime, redundancy, reliability…etc.) into system requirements and allocate them to platform subsystems (structures, TCS, EPS, GNC, PROP, C&DH, TT&C/PDT, FSW).
• Develop the Platform Architecture Description Document, Interface Control Documents (ICD) and Design Description.
• Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the program life cycle.

Concept Trade & Feasibility

• Lead trade studies for structural approach, thermal control concepts (MLI, heat pipes, radiators…etc.), power generation options (e.g. solar array & battery technologies).

Detailed Design

• Oversee detailed design of all major subsystems (structures, TCS, EPS, PROP, C&DH, C&T, GNC, payload interfaces).
• Conduct failure‑mode‑effects‑analysis (FMEA) in support to FDIR, fault‑tree analysis and reliability & availability predictions.
• Ensure compliance with mission requirement and payload specifics.
• Maintain platform level performance budgets
• Support FSW and Satellite Reference Database developments

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Present technical status, risk analyses, and trade‑study results to senior management.
• Negotiate and maintain ICDs with payload and all platform subsystems.
• Support to DC & RF harness design, Platform and Payload layout.
• Support B&P (Phase 0 & pre-phase A).
• Author verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures for unit, subsystem, and platform level tests.
• Coordinate, supervise or support:
  • Structural vibration, acoustic & shock testing
  • TCT & Thermal vacuum testing
  • Power distribution functional test
  • Closed‑loop test on avionic testbed
• Support FSW integration

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor, guide, lead a multidisciplinary team of junior or intermediate system engineers & interns
• Act as technical liaison with customers, partners and external vendors
• Act as Continuous Improvement stakeholder
• Contribute to MDA’s knowledge‑base, process enhancements, and standards development.

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

• Ensure all artefacts, analysis, software, documentations and deliverables are version controlled in PLM environment.
• Support launch‑site interface checklists with LVI responsible engineer, pre‑launch checkout procedures, and early‑orbit checkout scripts.
• Provide real‑time platform engineering support during launch, on‑orbit commissioning, anomaly investigations and contingency operations.
• Support SOOH development and associated operator training.

Required Qualifications:

• Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics with 5-10 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.