Satellite Design System Engineer

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 4,000 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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

Role overview:

MDA is seeking a Satellite Design System Engineer for design, integration, verification, and operational support for current and next-generation remote sensing and communications satellites. The design system engineer is the technical hub that ensures every spacecraft subsystem (structures, thermal, power, propulsion, C&DH, TT&C/PDT, GNC, payload-interface, etc.) works together to meet mission objectives, cost targets and schedule constraints. The role spans the full lifecycle, from concept, designs and requirements capture through design, integration, verification, launch-site support and on-orbit operations.

• Support or define and convert mission level and mission planning requirements, reliability, cost and schedule goals into spacecraft wide system design requirements.
• Develop the Satellite Architecture Description Document, Interface Control Documents (ICD) and Compliance Matrices.
• Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the program life cycle.

Concept Trade & Feasibility

• Lead multi‑disciplinary trade studies (mass vs. power vs. volume, redundancy philosophy, reliability, end of life, bus modularity, launch‑vehicle fit, de‑orbiting, re‑entry...etc).
• Produce trade‑off matrices and recommendation reports for senior management.

Detailed Design & Modelling

• Support detailed design of all major platform subsystems (structures, TCS, EPS, PROP, C&DH, C&T, GNC, payload interfaces).
• Own and maintain Satellite Electrical MBSE (SysML modeling)
• Support electrical harnesses, power‑distribution topology, grounding scheme and redundancy philosophy.
• Conduct FMECA in support to FDIR, Fault‑Tree Analysis, reliability and availability predictions.
• Review or coordinate integrated analyses:
  • Structural & vibration
  • Environmental modeling
  • Power and Mass budget, CoG, battery‑state‑of‑charge, power sizing…etc.
  • Orbit dynamics, pointing accuracy and knowledge, attitude stability, ΔV budgeting, DOTL.
  • Demisability, apparent visibility, MMOD.

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Communicate technical status, risk assessments and trade‑study results to senior management and/or customers or partners.
• Negotiate and manage ICDs with payload and platform, ground‑segment and supplier teams.
• Support B&P (Phase 0 & pre-phase
  
  A).
• Develop or support verification plans, test matrices and validation procedures for spacecraft level tests.
• Support FSW integration and Reference Database
• Coordinate and/or supervise:
  • Structural vibration and acoustic testing
  • Thermal vacuum cycling and thermal balance tests
  • Electrical functional tests on PFM & FMs, review & approve test data

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor, guide junior engineers and interns.
• 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

• Author and maintain MDA satellite standards (margin philosophy, redundancy, safety…etc).
• Ensure all artefacts, analysis, software, deliverables and documentations are version controlled in PLM environment.
• Lead and Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR…etc).

Launch‑Site, Orbit Support & Operations Support

• Support launch-site checklists with LVI engineer, pre‑launch…