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Open 19d

Satellite C&DH System Engineer – On-site Opportunity

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📍 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
📄 Employment Type: Contract-to-Permanent (Preferred) / Contract
🏢 Work Arrangement: TBD
🚀 Start Date: Immediate
💰 Compensation: TBD -- based on skills and experience

Important Screening Requirements

  • Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  • Must be capable of obtaining the required security clearance.
  • English proficiency is required. French is considered an asset.
  • Strong hands-on experience with spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems is required.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Satellite Command & Data-Handling (C&DH) System Engineer to support the design, integration, verification, and operation of onboard command, control, and data-management functions for current and next-generation remote sensing and communications satellite programs.

In this role, you will contribute to the C&DH functional architecture, drive technical trade studies, support system integration and verification, and provide technical leadership throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

  • Translate mission-level requirements into C&DH functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Develop and maintain system requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and system descriptions.
  • Maintain bidirectional requirements traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Support cybersecurity and resilience considerations within C&DH system design.
  • Lead detailed design activities involving:
    • Onboard processors
    • Spacecraft data buses
    • Memory subsystems
    • I/O interfaces
  • Support software architecture activities, including command sequencing, telemetry packetization, health monitoring, and FDIR.
  • Support Satellite Reference Database development and validation.
  • Define uplink command formats, downlink telemetry structures, and ground-segment data-handling interfaces.
  • Collaborate with Flight Software (FSW), TT&C/PDT, and Ground Segment teams to ensure end-to-end data integrity.
  • Develop verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures for unit, subsystem, and spacecraft-level C&DH testing.
  • Execute functional testing, bus-protocol compliance testing, and SIL/HIL campaigns.
  • Lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action activities.
  • Support spacecraft launch preparation, early-orbit checkout, and on-orbit operations.
  • Analyze on-orbit telemetry and support updates to operational parameters as required.
  • Support SOOH development and operator training.
  • Contribute to technical standards, process improvements, technology roadmaps, and engineering knowledge bases.
  • Support major design reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, and TRR.
  • Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical liaison with customers, partners, and vendors.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of C&DH engineering experience on LEO, MEO, and/or GEO satellite platforms.
  • Deep knowledge of spacecraft data-bus and communication standards, including:
    • SpaceWire
    • MIL-STD-1553
    • CAN
    • Ethernet
    • CCSDS packet telemetry and command
    • PUS services
  • Knowledge of processors, FPGA, firmware, and embedded systems.
  • Strong understanding of aerospace systems engineering fundamentals, space environment, and orbit mechanics.
  • Hands-on experience supporting systems integration, testing, troubleshooting, and problem resolution.
  • Experience with Confluence and JIRA.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex technical problems into fundamental components.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting end-to-end spacecraft C&DH development and integration.
  • Experience with spacecraft commissioning, early-orbit operations, and on-orbit telemetry analysis.
  • Experience with FDIR, command sequencing, telemetry processing, and spacecraft health monitoring.
  • Experience with SIL/HIL testing and spacecraft bus-protocol compliance verification.
  • French language proficiency.
  • Experience supporting satellite programs through the full lifecycle, from early concept and design through launch and on-orbit operations.

Skills

See also

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