Senior Defence Systems Engineering Specialist

Telesat; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Telesat, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, seeks a Senior Defence Systems Engineering Specialist to shape satellite-enabled capabilities for national security and allied defence users. You will lead multidisciplinary investigations from mission-need qualification through initial prototype laboratory validation.

Reporting to the Defence Satellite Mission Solutions team, you will combine technical depth with systems thinking, hands-on experimentation and leadership across engineering, product and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of systems engineering experience with architecture ownership and leadership.
• Experience in satellite systems, defence communications, aerospace or related integrated systems.
• Experience translating operational needs and security/resilience constraints into requirements and architecture decisions.
• Experience developing models, simulations and conducting laboratory validation.

Responsibilities

• Translate operational needs into mission scenarios, requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Define system boundaries, interfaces, data flows and performance budgets; assess feasibility.
• Incorporate security, resilience and mission-assurance into architecture and verification.
• Develop models and run proofs-of-concept; quantify uncertainty and risks.
• Lead lab integration with hardware, software and test teams; maintain traceability.
• Lead lab validation of performance, security and resilience; substantiate maturity claims.
• Lead technical reviews and mentor engineers across functions.

Skills

Sound engineering judgment

Systems thinking

Python

MATLAB

AI-enabled analysis

Technical facilitation

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems/Electrical/Aerospace/Physics/Computer Engineering or related discipline

Advanced degree considered an asset

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 55 years. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise and Government users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world. The company’s state-of-the-art Satellite fleet consists of 12 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite. For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com

Are you passionate about breakthrough technologies and eager to shape the future of satellite-based solutions for defence and national security?

We are seeking a Senior Defence Systems Engineering Specialist to help shape new satellite-enabled capabilities for Canadian and allied defence users. Reporting to the Director, Research & Development, Defence Satellite Mission Solutions, you will lead multidisciplinary investigations from mission-need qualification through initial prototype laboratory validation.

Initial opportunities include system features such as alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), optical relay connectivity with other satellite systems, and space-domain awareness data products. You will combine technical depth with systems thinking, practical experimentation and multidisciplinary leadership.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with Sales and Product teams with potential customers to translate operational needs into mission scenarios, concepts of operation, measurable effectiveness objectives, requirements and acceptance criteria. Establish the current performance baseline, desired benefit, starting maturity, assumptions and investigation scope.
• Evaluate candidate approaches, suppliers and opportunities to reuse, buy, partner or develop. Define system boundaries, the functions allocated to each component, interfaces, data flows and quantitative performance budgets. Compare expected benefits, integration constraints and resource needs; identify the critical uncertainties that determine feasibility.
• Integrate security, resilience and mission-assurance requirements into architecture and verification. Assess effects on Lightspeed capacity, coverage, availability, timing, power, spectrum, interference and operations, working with the relevant specialists and product authorities.
• Develop and apply computer models and simulations to assess system performance and technical feasibility and lead targeted proof-of-concept experiments. Define hypotheses, compare measured results with predictions and quantify uncertainty and residual risk. Undertake hands‑on analysis and testing within your expertise and direct specialist contributions where needed.
• Lead laboratory integration with hardware, software and test teams. Define supporting elements, control implementation versions, and maintain requirements-to-test traceability. Establish repeatable procedures and obtain agreement on the test envelope and pass/fail criteria before execution.
• Lead laboratory validation of performance, security and resilience within the agreed envelope. Assess repeatability, correlate models with results, resolve or disposition anomalies, and document limitations. Substantiate technology maturity claims and make recommendations whether to proceed, rework, hold or stop an investigation.
• Lead technical reviews, mentor engineers and coordinate technical work with Engineering, Product management, Sales and Operations. Support Telesat’s customer and supplier engagements as a technical subject‑matter expert.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience. An advanced degree is an asset.
• Substantial systems engineering experience, typically 15+ years, including architecture ownership and multidisciplinary technical leadership. Equivalent experience demonstrating comparable scope and outcomes for this role will be considered.
• Experience in satellite systems, defence communications, aerospace, wireless, secure networking or comparable integrated systems, with depth in one relevant domain.
• Demonstrated experience translating operational needs and security/resilience constraints into requirements, architecture trade-offs and measurable validation objectives, working with customers and engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying computer models and simulations, conducting experimental investigations and performing laboratory validation, including interpretation of measurements and management of technical risk.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound engineering judgment, curiosity and the ability to structure ambiguous problems, challenge assumptions and distinguish evidence from estimates.
• Strong systems thinking and communications or networking fundamentals, with the ability to learn unfamiliar technologies.
• Proficiency with analysis, modelling and test tools, such as Python, MATLAB or comparable platforms.
• Experience leveraging AI in support of engineering activities.
• Clear written and oral communication and technical facilitation skills, including the ability to explain complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in one or more of PNT/timing, optical communications, RF systems, satellite networking, space-domain awareness, sensor processing or AI-enabled analysis is an asset. Defence/government programs and model-based systems engineering are additional assets.
• Fluent in English, written and oral. French is an asset.

Equipment Used

• Windows and Linux computers and laboratory instrumentation appropriate to each investigation.

Decision Making and Supervision

• In this role, the incumbent owns technical evidence and recommendations and will have influence on the Lightspeed system design.
• This role has no direct reports.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada, meet applicable Canadian Controlled Goods Program screening requirements, and due to the sensitive nature of the work be able to obtain and maintain NATO Secret security clearance.

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At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace. We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process. All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential.