Spacecraft EMC Systems Engineer

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation; Quebec; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

MDA Space is seeking a Spacecraft EMC Systems Engineer to own EMC concepts, analysis, verification and mitigation across multiple satellite programmes. You will lead cross‑disciplinary teams and work with platform and payload groups to ensure an electrically clean, reliable spacecraft from requirements capture to launch readiness.

The role requires a strong background in EMC analysis, aerospace systems engineering and a hands-on approach to testing, with leadership experience and excellent

Qualifications

• Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics with 10+ years of electrical design experience on space missions.
• Proficiency in spacecraft EMC requirements and simulations.
• Experience supervising EMC engineers or leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of aerospace system engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on with systems integration and testing processes.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision; excellent English communication; French an asset.

Responsibilities

• Own EMC concept, analysis, verification and mitigation for multiple satellite programmes.
• Define EMC architecture including shielding, grounding and harness routing.
• Perform EMC analyses for radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility; verify early in design.
• Review DC power distribution architecture for EMC/EMI aspects.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and communicate status and risks to management.
• Author EMC Verification Master Plan and lead CE/CS and RE/RS tests.

Skills

EMC engineering

Spacecraft design

EMC simulations

Team leadership

Systems integration

Confluence

JIRA

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Job 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 overview:

MDA is seeking a Spacecraft EMC Systems Engineer for its high‑performance spacecraft for our remote sensing and communications satellites. The Spacecraft EMC Systems Engineer will own the EMC concept, analysis, verification and mitigation for multiple satellite programmes, driving architecture decisions, leading cross‑disciplinary teams. He will ensure all electrical‑subsystem on the bus and payload, from requirements capture to hardware design, do not interfere with themselves or launch vehicles. The role works closely with platform and payload teams to ensure an electrically clean, reliable and launch‑ready spacecraft.

• Capture, allocate and trace EMC functional, performance, and requirements.
• Define the EMC architecture (shielding strategy, grounding scheme, antenna placement, mode‑control, and harness segregation requirements & routing constraints).

EMC Analysis & Electrical Design

• Perform EMC analyses of the whole spacecraft (accounting for the payload specifics) for radiated/conducted emission and susceptibility, antenna coupling, shielding effectiveness, fuse blowing…etc. and verify compliance early in the design cycle.
• Recommend mitigation such as shielding, filtering, grounding schemes, layout rules.

DC Power Distribution

• Review DC power distribution architecture (primary bus, secondary bus lines, converters, fusing, protection) for EMC/EMI aspects.
• Review conductors, termination, connectors and back shells (material, gauge, shielding…etc.) that satisfy EMI control requirements.

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Communicate technical status, risk assessments and trade‑study results to senior management and/or customers or partners.
• Support ICDs with payload and platform teams and suppliers.
• Act as the EMC authority in System and subsystem design reviews
• Liaise with RF, Power, Structures, Propulsion, Software and Ground‑Segment teams to resolve cross‑disciplinary EMC issues early.
• Support B&P (Phase 0 & pre-Phase A).
• Author the EMC Verification Master Plan covering component level, subsystem level and full spacecraft tests (CE/CS, RE/RS).
• Oversee test‑facility set‑up, instrumentation calibration, test execution, data reduction and results certification.
• Author test procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead CE/CS tests, RE/RS tests on hardware and review suppliers test results.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor, guide junior engineers and interns and provide EMC training sessions.
• Act as technical liaison with customers, partners and external vendors.
• Act as Continuous Improvement stakeholder.
• Contribute to MDA’s knowledge‑base, process enhancements, and standards development.

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

• Participate in Change Control Boards (CCB) and ensure impact analyses are performed for any electrical change.
• Maintain GDIR and EDTS streamlining.
• Ensure all artefacts, analysis and documentations are version controlled in PLM environment.

On‑Orbit & Operations Support

• Support root‑cause investigations for on‑orbit anomalies; update design baselines and lessons‑learned.
• Support SOOH development and associated operator training.

Required Qualifications:

• Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics, (M.Sc. preferred) with 10 + years of electrical design engineering experience on LEO/MEO/GEO missions.
• Proficiency in spacecraft and unit EMC requirements and simulations.
• Prior experience supervising a team of EMC engineers or leading multi‑disciplinary task‑forces.
• 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 to no 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 hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled 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.