Satellite Flight Software (FSW) Systems Engineer

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation; Quebec; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation during recruitment

Competitive compensation and benefits

Job summary

MDA Space in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC invites a junior Satellite Flight Software Systems Engineer to contribute under supervision to the definition, design, and validation of flight software and FDIR for our satellites. You will work with senior engineers on life‑cycle embedded systems.

You will assist requirements gathering, define FSW architecture, develop FDIR, produce ICDs, and support test campaigns and on‑orbit operations, gaining diverse hands‑on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Embedded Systems.
• 0-2 years of experience on fault-tolerant space missions (LEO/MEO/GEO).
• Experience with CCSDS, ECSS, PUS services.
• Experience with MIL-1553, SpaceWire, RS422/485, CAN, Ethernet.
• Real-time cores and/or embedded Linux; ability to code or auto‑code.
• Strong English communication; French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers during requirements gathering and record in tracking tool.
• Participate in allocation processes under software lead supervision.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity to incorporate resilience from concept to test.
• Update traceability in requirements management and flag inconsistencies.

Skills

Fault-tolerant systems

Embedded systems

English communication

Aerospace system engineering

Requirement gathering

Traceability

Independent work

Education

Electrical Engineering / Aerospace / Embedded Systems degree

Tools

CCSDS

ECSS

PUS services

MIL-1553

SpaceWire

RS-422/485

CAN

Ethernet

Real-time cores

Embedded Linux

Confluence

JIRA

Auto-coding

Job description

Satellite Flight Software (FSW) Systems Engineer

Job Category : Engineering

• Posted : November 2, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X3R2, CAN

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

MDA is recruiting a junior systems engineer to contribute—under the supervision of senior engineers to the definition, design, implementation and validation of the flight‑software (FSW) and FDIR functions for our current and next‑generation remote‑sensing and communications satellites. The engineer will work primarily in a support capacity, assisting the technical lead during design studies, the preparation of interface documents, and the verification campaign, while gaining comprehensive life‑cycle experience on an embedded system.

• Assist senior engineers during requirement‑gathering workshops and record the requirements in the tracking tool.
• Participate in the allocation process under the direction of the software‑project lead.
• Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to incorporate resilience from the conceptual stage.
• Update traceability links in the requirements‑management system and flag any inconsistencies to the configuration manager.

Software Architecture, Design & Development

• Define the flight‑software (FSW) architecture – RTOS, start‑up procedures, PUS services, satellite health‑monitoring, fault management, and payload interfaces.
• Define FDIR algorithms, isolation logic, recovery actions, safe‑mode sequences, and redundancy management.
• Implement or lead the integration of the FDIR logic into the flight software.
• Produce and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for payload subsystems, platform subsystems, and ground‑segment interfaces.
• Support the development and validation of the Satellite Reference Database (SRDB) and the Decision‑Support System (DSS).

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Communicate technical status, risk assessments and trade‑study results to program management, customers and partners.
• Act as liaison with payload, platform (including GNC), ground‑segment and mission‑operations teams to ensure early integration of functions and to resolve integration issues.
• Support the deployment of test‑automation tools and frameworks.
• Assist the definition of test cases, analyze test results and certify test reports.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Guide interns on their tasks and development.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for customers, partners and external suppliers.
• Participate in continuous‑improvement activities and apply lessons‑learned to future projects.
• Contribute to MDA’s knowledge base, process improvements and the development of standards.

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

• Ensure that all artefacts, analyses, software, deliverables and documents are version‑controlled in the PLM environment.
• Assist the technology‑road‑mapping and innovation effort by providing input on emerging solutions.

On‑Orbit & Operations Support

• Support and analyse on‑orbit telemetry, update filter parameters, and generate SW updates as needed.
• Support SOOH development and associated operator training.

Required Qualifications

• Sc. in Electrical engineering, Aerospace, Embedded Systems with 0-2 years of previous fault-tolerant systems on LEO/MEO/GEO missions.
• Experience working with CCSDS, ECSS, PUS services.
• Experience working with MIL-1553, SpaceWire, RS422/485, CAN, Ethernet.
• Experience in real-time cores and/or embedded Linux, Auto-coding.
• 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 holdsecurity clearance at the reliability statuslevel, and pass security assessment for theControlled 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.