Sr. Project Engineer (Systems)

MDA; Canada; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading space technology company in Canada is seeking a seasoned engineering lead to coordinate and execute multi-disciplinary projects. Responsibilities include managing resources, supporting program negotiations, and ensuring project transparency. Ideal candidates have a background in space or robotics, team leadership experience, and excellent communication skills. MDA provides competitive salaries and benefits, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation in space exploration.

Benefits

Competitive healthcare

Dental and vision benefits

Group retirement savings

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 8 - 10 years of experience in engineering function in space, robotics, or related technical field.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Methodology and experience with risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate execution of the multi-disciplinary project team.
• Support Program Manager to negotiate with customers regarding key requirements.
• Prepare schedules to track program progress and ensure transparency.

Skills

Team leadership

Conflict management

Risk management

Communication skills

Creative thinking

Education

Degree in Engineering or equivalent

Job description

The Company

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.

The Position

In this role, you will be the lead engineering resource on a program or subset of a program; responsible for technical coordination, work planning, and execution of a multi-disciplinary team. This role reports to the Program Manager and provides overall technical management support with respect to a program’s cost, schedule and technical objectives. The work is cost plus or firm price, and with government and/or commercial customers.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day execution of the multi-disciplinary project team, in support of the Program Manager, to meet technical, schedule requirements and budget constraints.
• Apply and organize assigned resources to execute the work scope. Ensure shortages or conflicts are identified to the Program Manager.
• Ensure ongoing project team coordination and communication, especially across disciplines, to ensure full buy-in to project objectives. Work to resolve any issues and ensure team buy-in.
• Coordinate intra-project activities with key support resources, including Systems Lead, Technical Leads, Back End resources (e.g. Ops Coordinator, Shipping, Manufacturing, Buyers).
• MAIT coordination including generation of test plans and procedures, the coordination of GSE (design, procurement, assembly) and test facilities, the timely release of documents and test implementation. This may be in support of Systems, I&T, and/or Software Lead.

• Identify and manage customer and program risks and opportunities including prioritization, mitigation, escalation, and resolution. Track status of risks retired, risks realized, and project assumptions that no longer hold.
• Support Program Manager to negotiate, discuss and reach agreement with the customer with respect to key requirements and objectives of the program, as well as the funding, resources and methods required. Where there are disconnects, including process gaps/tailoring, ensure the Program Manager is aware and that there is consistency of approach within the team.
• Support non-labour management, including monitoring Planning Engine generation. Liaise with subcontractors and suppliers, via Contracts and Buyers, to ensure non-labour is forecast, committed, and received to meet project timelines and cost objectives.
• Support the Program Manager with control of the program through a process of regular program reviews, design reviews and audits, staff meetings and other program meetings. Provide technical guidance, direction and decision-making to the program team.
• Support preparation of detailed schedule to track program progress, including assessments of costs to date and estimates to complete and develop work-around plans as required to achieve cost and schedule objectives. This is done with the Program Manager and PP&C resources.
• Support preparation for monthly program reviews and, as required, briefings to senior management to maintain visibility of the program throughout the organization.

Support program visibility at the customer level through regular technical, management, and progress meetings. Liaise with customer to maintain effective relationships, install and enhance the customer’s confidence in MDA’s quality systems and products.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Engineering or equivalent technical/business education
• 8 - 10 years of experience in engineering function in space, robotics, or related technical field.
• Willingness to learn about different areas of expertise.
• Experience with team leadership, task estimating and monitoring. Familiarity with Earned Value Methodology. Experience with development work and risk management in engineering application development. Experience with the complete project life cycle.
• Self-motivated with good interpersonal skills and conflict management skills; able to motivate a team. Willingness to work with external stakeholders. Aptitude for creative and innovative thinking required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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.

The compensation range for this position is $110K - $150K annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

MDA is an equal opportunity employer.