Senior Satellite Systems Designer - Platform Architect

Canaan Partners; Toronto; On-site; CAD 125,622 - 175,622; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Unlimited vacation

Parental leave

Relocation packages

Professional development fund

Office kitchen and amenities

Company‑wide events

Great Place to Work (5 years)

Job summary

Kepler Communications in Toronto is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead across satellite and space-system programs, delivering critical subsystems and verification campaigns that roll up into multi-mission efforts.

You will apply MBSE practices, drive requirements, architecture, design, integration, and operations while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure robust, on‑time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 7+ years of systems engineering or technical leadership experience on space programs.
• Experience delivering subsystems or verification campaigns within large missions.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft design and lifecycle across multiple phases.
• Experience with mission analysis, system modeling, and technical budgeting (RAMS/FDIR).

Responsibilities

• Define and mature system architectures across spacecraft, subsystems, payloads, and ground interfaces.
• Translate objectives into technical requirements, interfaces, verification strategies, and deliverables.
• Lead requirements development, verification planning, and design reviews with cross-functional teams.
• Perform system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk assessments to inform decisions.
• Manage budgets (mass, power, RF, propellant) and interface control across programs.
• Drive integration and interface management across hardware, software, avionics, and ground systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure compliance with standards and governance.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Requirements management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication

AI-enabled tooling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

MBSE tools

ECSS

Job description

Kepler Communications is leading the future of on‑demand space connectivity. Our mission is to provide real‑time Internet access for space‑based assets, enabling a new era of data‑driven exploration and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, supporting advanced on‑orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

What sets Kepler apart is our team of bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem‑solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage – including dependents
• Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave, and company‑wide holiday shutdown
• Semi‑annual company‑wide parties and frequent in‑office team events
• Relocation packages for approved roles
• $1,500 annual professional development fund
• Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games, and top‑notch appliances
• Town halls, celebration calls, and company‑wide events to keep us connected and engaged
• Certified Great Place to Work for five 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, and will quickly integrate into new projects.

Key Responsibilities

• 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, power, 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.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 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.

Bonus Points

• 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.

Job Type: 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.