Supervisor - Software Development

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 5,500 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

Professional development and career advancement are two terms that resonate with you. Do you have what it takes to become a software supervisor?

The Supervisor software development role is part of an initiative to develop MDA’s future leaders.

The Supervisor, Engineering is a member of the leadership team and reports to the Manager, Engineering of a particular discipline. The supervisor manages a section of a large engineering department, through developing and maintaining a workforce with the key technical skills necessary to ensure proper execution and delivery of the company’s products and projects. The Supervisor will manage recruitment, development, engagement and retention, and succession planning within their team.

In addition, the incumbent will support the Software Department Manager in other aspects of departmental activities such as technological roadmap development, continuous improvement, modernization of engineering practices, and customer satisfaction. They will support the adoption of next-generation engineering tools, techniques, and procedures to increase competitiveness in their discipline area.

• Recruits employees, assigns, directs and evaluates their work. Monitors and manages overall employee performance, conducts annual performance appraisals and sets individual objectives.
• Provides staffing expertise to support the demand of Programs, R&D, and Business Development. Ensures that staffing supports the demand of current and future MDA programs.
• Develops staff to ensure necessary skill sets. Establishes and regularly updates succession plans for key skills to avoid single point failures and bottlenecks in resource allocation.
• Ensures group competency remains abreast of state of the art techniques in the respective engineering/manufacturing / support service disciplines.
• Ensures staff works in an environment fostering innovation and evolution to maximize their satisfaction within the constraints of the business, supporting career planning, providing regular feedbacks and celebrating successes.
• Oversees engineering resources, processes, and tools required to support department activities and program needs.
• Identifies and manages resource conflicts between all programs for flight or development activities as appropriate to the department.
• Supports management of departmental overhead budget within allocation and provides forecasts to finance as required.
• Supports coordination of capital planning for the department. Proposes necessary capital investment items with proper financial justification and implements the procurement.
• Ensures the proper application of the company’s collective agreements.

• Participates in or leads Technical Overview Board (TOB) meetings.
• Coordinates and ensures distribution of lessons learned.
• Supports internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented as required.
• Participates in or leads technical troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Provides expert support to MRBs and customer enquiries where needed.

• Ensures proper application and adherence to overall company policies and processes by staff in the department.
• Supports development and maintenance of departmental specific policies, processes, work instructions and standards and ensures they are available to, and followed by staff.
• Proposes and leads new initiatives, or participates in initiatives for business process improvement (BPI) to improve departmental or global efficiency.

• Provides support and participate in proposal activities
• Makes recommendations to the product development organisation for new products and R&D initiatives in line with the company’s strategic direction.
• Supports and coordinates patent applications in conjunction with the product development organisation. Ensures that the company’s trade secrets and proprietary information is protected and handled securely.

Performs other tasks as required such as;
leading proposals at the front end of the business, managing small projects or parts thereof, providing support to subcontract management, participating in collective agreement negotiations.

• Candidate must demonstrate superior ability for people skills, conflict resolution and leadership skills.
• Experience with managing teams of people in a dynamic environment.
• Experience in resource management, negotiations, risk management techniques and financial reporting.
• Good communicator in French and English (written and spoken). (Contact with customers outside Quebec and head office managers in Ontario).
• Minimum 5 years experience in the field of software engineering

Engineering or similar degree in an appropriate discipline, Bachelors or higher

#IND1 #SP

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the SECRET status level II, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

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
• 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.