Systems Engineer – Satellite Ground Segment

MDA Systems Ltd.; Richmond; Hybrid; CAD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MDA Space in Richmond, Canada, is seeking a Systems Engineer for the Satellite Ground Segment within the Geointelligence Engineering Team. You will collaborate across disciplines to deliver ground-segment solutions for satellites, downlink imagery, and telemetry, ensuring cost-effective operations and customer satisfaction.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering or engineering physics and 5+ years in relevant fields, with emphasis on large-scale systems.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant engineering field and strong analytical skills.
• Experience with large-scale systems engineering projects is preferred.
• Familiarity with software development lifecycles and tools.

Responsibilities

• Translate high level requirements into lower-level system features.
• Perform analyses and trade studies to define system designs.
• Develop engineering plans, requirements specs, and interface docs.
• Present design proposals clearly to customers or sponsors.
• Support work planning, cost estimates, and lifecycle validation activities.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver ground-segment solutions.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Teamwork

Self-starter

Problem-solving

Customer interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in systems Engineering or Engineering Physics

Tools

Matlab

Python

MS Excel

AGI’s Systems Tool Kit (STK)

Requirements Management (DOORS)

MS Office

Job description

Systems Engineer – Satellite Ground Segment

Job Category : Engineering

Requisition Number : SYSTE012340

• Posted : August 25, 2026
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

ABOUT MDA SPACE

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.

Our mission is to turn data into insight. From detecting changes in fragile ecosystems to monitoring northern ice floes and shipping routes, our near-real time data of Earth observation and the environment makes our Geointelligence team a leader in geospatial imagery, ground stations, enterprise geospatial systems and defence programs.
As a member of a Geointelligence project team you will initially be assigned to work on the ground segment of one of several large satellite mission programs at MDA Space. You will work as part of a technical team to develop new capabilities, enhance existing capabilities and deliver solutions to our customers.

As part of your growth and development we will work with you to establish your development actions alongside regular progress reviews. You are likely to move through various projects to gain the experience and knowledge to progress your career with us.
The Role

We’re looking for a Systems Engineer – Satellite Ground Segment in our Geointelligence Engineering Team at our Richmond office.
As part of the Ground Segment Systems Engineering team, the individual will work with other engineers in a multi-disciplinary team environment to create and deliver engineering solutions to control satellites, downlink imagery and telemetry, process imagery, create value-added products and process orders from our customers in a cost-effective way.

Responsibilities

As a Systems Engineer – Satellite Ground Segment, you may have a wide range of responsibilities that include:

• working with both internal and external customers to understand their needs and requirements
• transforming high level requirements into lower level feature requirements
• performing technical engineering tasks, such as operational analyses and trade-off studies, to define system design and subsystem requirement details
• devising solutions for creating and delivering systems and subsystem features
• developing and generating deliverable documents such as engineering plans, requirements specifications, interface control documents, and operational concepts
• presenting technical design proposals and reports to internal and/or external customers in clear, complete, concise and non-ambiguous terms
• supporting work planning and cost estimates during the project’s lifecycle
• supporting validation and verification activities of the overall system

You will support senior engineers in the above tasks and have opportunities for mentorship and career growth.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in systems Engineering or Engineering Physics
• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in a relevant field
• 3+ years’ experience on design and delivery of large scale systems
• Understanding of different types of engineering lifecycle as applicable from large complex programs to software development
• Familiarity with modern software development methodology, tools, and software specification
• Familiarity with any of the following software tools:
  • Matlab
  • Python or other scripting languages
  • MS Excel, for the purposes of engineering analyses
  • AGI’s Systems Tool Kit (STK)
  • Requirements Management tools such as DOORS
  • MS Office
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and customer interaction skills
• Self-starter with the ability to perform in a dynamic working environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Team-friendly attitude and willingness to learn

While not mandatory, candidates will benefit from any of the following:

• Prior involvement in development of cloud-based applications
• Prior involvement in remote sensing or earth observation missions
• Understanding of different types of engineering life cycles as applicable from large complex programs to software development
• Familiarity with machine learning / deep learning

Comments/Special Considerations:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the SECRET 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 $95,000 - $130,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.