Senior Satellite Systems Designer - Platform Architect

Kepler; Toronto; On-site; CAD 126,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance (

Unlimited vacation

Relocation packages

Professional development fund

Office kitchen and amenities

Great Place to Work certification

Job summary

Kepler Communications is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead across multiple satellite and space-system programs. You will help deliver subsystems, system-level work packages, verification campaigns, and technical deliverables for critical missions.

You will apply systems engineering judgment, manage interfaces and risks, and mentor junior engineers in a multi-program environment to ensure mission performance and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with mission analysis, system modeling, and technical budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Define and mature system architectures for spacecraft, subsystems, payloads, ground interfaces, or technical work packages.
• Translate objectives into technical requirements, interface definitions, verification strategies, and deliverables.
• Lead requirements development, flow-down, traceability, and verification planning across work packages.
• Perform system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk assessments to inform decisions.
• Drive cross-functional integration across hardware, software, avionics, RF, and mission operations.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

System-level thinking

Analytical problem solving

Effective communicator

Reqmts management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Master's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

Job description

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries ofwhat’spossible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, andwe’recommitted to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

Ifyou’reready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer:

• * Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.
• * Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance— including dependents.
• * Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
• * Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.
• * Relocation packages available for approved roles.
• * $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
• * Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.
• * Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
• * We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, seven years in a row!

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will be a technical leader contributing across multiple satellite and space-system programs. You will help deliver critical subsystems, system-level work packages, verification campaigns, and technical deliverables that roll up into larger missions.

You will draw on experience across multiple lifecycle phases, including requirements definition, architecture development, design, integration, verification, commissioning, and operations. The role requires the ability to quickly integrate into new projects, establish technical clarity, and lead engineering execution in areas where requirements, interfaces, risks, and trade-offs must be actively managed.

You will act as a bridge between disciplines, ensuring that requirements are understood, interfaces are controlled, risks are visible, and technical decisions are made with appropriate consideration for mission performance, cost, schedule, reliability, and operational needs. Success in this role comes from the ability to apply systems engineering judgment, right-size processes to the maturity of the work, and keep teams aligned on delivery.

This role is suited for an experienced systems engineer who can operate with autonomy, mentor junior and intermediate engineers, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and deliver high-impact technical outcomes across a multi-program environment.

• • Define and mature system architectures for spacecraft, subsystems, payloads, ground interfaces, or technical work packages across space and ground segments.

  • Translate customer, mission, and program objectives into clear technical requirements, interface definitions, verification strategies, and executable engineering deliverables.

  • Lead requirements development, flow-down, traceability, interface control, verification planning, and evidence closure across assigned systems or work packages.

  • Perform and lead system-level analyses, trade studies, mission analysis, performance assessments, risk assessments, and design evaluations to inform technical decisions.

  • Work with subsystem leads and program teams to define, manage, and communicate key system budgets, including mass properties, power generation and consumption, RF link performance, propellant usage, reliability, availability, and FDIR approach.

  • Drive cross-functional integration and interface management across hardware, software, avionics, RF, payload, mission operations, and ground systems.

  • Apply reliability and risk practices such as RAMS, FMECA, FDIR analysis, anomaly resolution, and non-conformance support where relevant to the program or work package.

  • Support integration, test, environmental test, payload test, verification campaigns, mission readiness reviews, LEOP, commissioning, and on-orbit operations planning as required

  • Develop and maintain clear technical documentation, including requirements, ICDs, verification plans, technical budgets, design files, analysis reports, CONOPS, review packages, and decision records

  • Support bids, proposals, feasibility studies, technology assessments, and new business initiatives by preparing technical inputs, architecture concepts, risk assessments, and execution assumptions

  • Serve as a strong technical interface with customers, suppliers, partners, and external stakeholders, communicating risks, trade-offs, assumptions, and recommendations clearly

  • Contribute to system roadmaps, process improvements, standards adoption, and departmental continuous improvement initiatives

  • Leverage AI-enabled tools, agents, automation, and digital engineering practices to improve engineering workflows, technical documentation, analysis efficiency, requirements management, and knowledge capture

  • Provide technical oversight, coaching, and mentorship to junior and intermediate engineers, including review of technical outputs and guidance on systems engineering practices

  • Ensure work products follow applicable internal standards, industry best practices, configuration management expectations, and program governance requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

• 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, spacecraft development, or similar technical leadership roles

• Proven track record delivering subsystems, technical work packages, or verification campaigns within larger missions

• Strong understanding of the spacecraft design and space-system engineering lifecycle, with experience across multiple phases such as concept development, design, integration, verification, commissioning, or operations

• Experience with mission analysis, system modeling, technical budget derivation and management, and simulation (e.g., Matlab, Python, STK)

• Experience in model-based systems engineering and spacecraft system design

• Experience with requirements management, driving V&V, subsystem integration, and test planning

• Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing cross-functional engineering teams

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate technical trade-offs and make practical recommendations under cost, schedule, and risk constraints

• Extensive experience with system-level troubleshooting and risk assessment

• Effective communicator with the ability to present complex technical solutions to stakeholders

• Flexibility to adapt quickly to new projects, roles, and responsibilities in a multi-program environment

• Experience using AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, or agent-based systems to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, analysis workflows, or knowledge management

• Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices

• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with one or more of the following:

  • Reliability analysis / RAMS

  • FDIR design and test / FMECA

  • Ground systems and operations

  • Previous contributions to spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and/or commissioning

  • Familiarity with space industry standards (NASA SE Handbook, ECSS-E/Q)

  • Experience leading technical studies, bids, or subsystem teams

  • Exposure to remote sensing instruments and their data pipelines

  • Software development familiarity (Python, Matlab, embedded systems, version control)

Salary Range: $125,622 - 175,622 CAD

Actual total compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion and is based on a variety of job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, performance, and education and/or training. The Company encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations, as it does not reflect our total compensation package.

Job Type: This is for a current vacancy

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [e-mail], and we will work with you to meet your needs.