Senior Mission Design Authority

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.

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Role

We’re on the hunt for a Senior Mission Design Authority on our Satellite systems team at our Montreal office.

The Senior Mission Design Authority holds the technical authority of a program in a particular area of expertise (Satellite, Payload or Platform) and, as such, is a highly critical and influential role on a large program.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and control all technical activities to satisfy contractual requirements and meet financial commitments, while ensuring good employee and customer relations.
• Be the main technical interface and representative with the Customer.
• Cooperate with and communicate extensively with the other program’s Systems Manager as applicable.
• Perform system trade-off and lead investigations of technical issues.
• Be accountable for technical decisions, from the kick‑off to the in‑orbit acceptance, while maximizing the use of MDA’s products to ensure cost and schedule effectiveness.
• Be responsible for technical leadership, direction and guidance that ensures successful program execution in accordance with the budget, schedule, contract, Statement of Work and technical requirement specifications.
• Review and evaluate the program status on a continuing basis and work unplanned program issues to a best solution, including development of plans‑forward, escalation and increased resources, as required.
• Ensure that all business is conducted using the highest ethical standards and in compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, and regulations.
• Ensure that program requirements, purposes, objectives, and expectations are communicated and flowed‑down to the internal team and subcontractors.
• Develop and ensure fidelity of the program baseline including definition of tasks, program budgets and program schedules in collaboration with the program manager.
• Lead in the development of program add‑on/follow‑on activities including new pursuit, execution strategies, and developing executable project plans.
• Participate in proposal preparation activities in support of new business capture opportunities with existing and/or new customers and programs.
• Support contracts, and subcontracts staff in monitoring performance of subcontractors.
• In coordination with the program manager, direct the work of program leads and other designated staff supporting contract execution.
• Provide technical leadership to the program team, balancing the needs of the program with individual expectations. Be an advocate for career development of members of the program team.
• Create a motivational environment where team members understand the mission, are fully engaged and empowered to execute, and are recognized for their performance.
• Resolve conflicts, demands and priorities on assigned programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and other departments. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Lead the system engineering team assigned to the program including RF, digital, electrical, EMC, mechanical, thermal, assembly, integration, verification and tests.
• Lead and review engineering documentation: system requirements, SOC, verification and validation matrix, design description, systems budgets, equipment specifications, test requirements, RFD/RFW.
• Lead design reviews such as EQSR, SRR, PDR, CDR.
• Lead integration, verification and validation.
• Attend test reviews: TRR, TRB, DRB, and NCR.
• Lead tests and support In‑Orbit Test (IOT).

Requirements

• Electrical or mechanical engineering or similar degree, Bachelors or higher engineering or a related field.
• 15+ years’ experience of System management or Senior project System engineering in related technical field.
• Experience in satellite constellations is a plus.
• Experience with negotiations, risk management, contract management, subcontract management, financials, US ITAR regulations.
• Good people skills and leadership skills.
• Communication skills in French is required. Good knowledge of English will be considered favorably (contact with customers outside Quebec).

Special Considerations

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 also obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level.

We’re a dream team of purpose‑driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join team MDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem‑solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth.

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.