Satellite C&DH Systems Engineer

MDA; Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MDA is seeking a C&DH Systems Engineer to support and design the command, data handling, and control functions for Earth observation and telecommunications satellites. The incumbent will lead architecture, requirements, and trade studies, and may serve as technical authority through the lifecycle.

The role requires a B.Sc. in electrical engineering or related field with 5+ years in C&DH; hands-on integration, testing, and troubleshooting; and experience with SpaceWire, MIL-1553, CAN, Ethernet,

Qualifications

• Degree in electrical engineering, aerospace, or related field with 5+ years in satellite C&DH.
• Proficiency in SpaceWire, MIL-1553, CAN, Ethernet, CCSDS telemetry/command and PUS.
• Experience with processors, FPGAs, firmware, and embedded software.
• Strong writing and communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Translate mission requirements into C&DH functional specifications and manage traceability.
• Lead embedded design of processors, data buses, memory subsystems, and interfaces.
• Collaborate with RTOS/API/FSW teams on software architecture and scheduling.
• Develop and validate the satellite baseline database and ICDs/Design Descriptions.
• Develop verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures; execute functional tests and anomalies investigations.
• Draft and maintain C&DH standards and ensure artifacts are in the PLM system.

Skills

C&DH engineering

Requirements traceability

System architecture

RTOS & embedded software

English communication

Education

B.Sc. in Electrical/Aerospace engineering

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

MDA is seeking a C&DH Systems Engineer to support and/or design, integrate, verify, and ensure the command, telemetry, control, and onboard management functions for our current and next-generation Earth observation and telecommunications satellites. The incumbent will be responsible for the C&DH functional architecture, will lead trade-off studies, and may assume the role of technical authority throughout the satellite's lifecycle.

Summary of duties:

Architecture Concept & Requirements

• Translate mission requirements into C&DH functional specifications.
• Draft System Requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Design Descriptions.
• Manage requirements and ensure bidirectional traceability throughout the project.
• Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to integrate resilience and security from the design phase (ECU).

Design & Development

• Lead detailed design of embedded processors, data buses (SpaceWire, SpaceFibre, MIL-1553, CAN, Ethernet), memory subsystems, and interfaces.
• Support software architecture: command sequencing, telemetry packetization, health monitoring, PUS services, FDIR.
• Contribute to the development and validation of the satellite baseline database.

Cross-Functional Coordination, Stakeholders & Program Interaction

• Present technical status, risk analyses, and trade study results to program management or clients/partners.
• Work with embedded software (FSW) teams to define RTOS, APIs, task scheduling, and real-time operating system configuration.
• Define uplink TC format and downlink TM packet structure.
• Coordinate with TT&C/PDT teams and ground segment ICDs to ensure end-to-end data integrity.
• Support B&P activities (Phase 0 & pre-phase A).

Integration & Verification (IVV)

• Develop verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures for subsystem and satellite testing.
• Execute functional tests, bus protocol compliance, and SIL and HIL campaigns.
• Manage anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions.

Configuration Management, Documentation

• Draft and maintain C&DH standards (bus protocols, data format conventions, redundancy policies).
• Ensure all artifacts, analyses, and deliverables are within the PLM environment.
• Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR, etc.).
• Support technology roadmap and innovation.

On-Orbit Support & Operations

• Support pre-launch checks and early LEOP operations.
• Support anomaly root cause investigations; update databases and capitalize on lessons learned.
• Analyze telemetry and generate performance reports.
• Support SOOH development and operator training.

Required qualifications:

• Degree: B.Sc. in electrical engineering, aerospace, or a related field, with 5+ years of experience in LEO/MEO/GEO satellite C&DH engineering.
• Proficiency in space bus standards: SpaceWire, MIL-1553, CAN, Ethernet, CCSDS (telemetry & command) and PUS services.
• Knowledge of processors, FPGAs, firmware, and embedded software.
• Strong writing skills and solid understanding of space engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on profile: capable of supporting integration, testing, and troubleshooting processes.
• Experience with Confluence and JIRA.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to break down complex problems into basic elements to solve them through analysis, analogy, or creativity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (contact with clients outside Quebec and drafting deliverables in English).