Principal Gnc Systems Engineer

MDA is looking for a
GNC engineer
for the design, integration, verification, and operational support of GNC subsystems intended for our current and next-generation Earth observation and telecommunication satellites. The incumbent will design the complete subsystem, from algorithm development to hardware implementation, validation, and in-orbit support. The position requires in-depth expertise in orbital dynamics, attitude determination & control, as well as the definition and integration of real-time embedded software;
the engineer will work closely with multidisciplinary teams throughout the satellite life cycle.Summary of duties:
Architecture, Concept & Requirements
Establish functional and performance requirements (pointing accuracy, guidance, orbit-keeping Delta-V, fault tolerance) based on mission requirements.Produce system requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICD), and design descriptions.Perform requirements management and ensure bidirectional traceability throughout the project.Modelling & Benchmarking
Conduct comparative studies on all sensors and actuator families.Perform high-fidelity dynamic simulations (Matlab/Simulink, STK) in order to meet pointing requirements, respect error budgets, ensure control law stability, control fuel consumption, and guarantee survivability margins.Algorithm Development
Design and implement attitude determination and orbit determination algorithms.Develop control laws for 3-axis stabilization, guidance maneuvers, and station-keeping algorithms.Validate scenarios and algorithms through Monte-Carlo analysis and SIL/HIL testing on avionics test benches.Cross-Functional Coordination, Stakeholders & Program Interaction
Translate algorithms into FSW requirements on real-time operating systems.Collaborate with C&DH and FSW teams to implement TM/TC, schedulers, and FDIR logic.Present technical status, risk analyses, and benchmark study results to program management.Negotiate and maintain ICDs with subsystems.Support B&P activities (Phase 0 & pre-phase A).Equipment Selection & Design
Specify sensors and actuators, define interfaces (electrical, mechanical, thermal) and redundancy.Work with structural and thermal engineers for vibration resistance, in compliance with payload requirements.Review harness routing and power distribution of GNC equipment.Integration & Verification (IVV)
Draft Verification Plans, test matrices, and test procedures.Lead functional tests: sensor calibration, actuator command response, closed-loop attitude control on avionics test benches, and commissioning sequences.Perform FMECA and reliability analyses.Technical Leadership & Mentoring
Supervise and guide junior engineers and interns.Act as the technical liaison with external clients, partners, and suppliers.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives.Contribute to MDA’s knowledge base, process improvements, and standard developments.Configuration Management, Documentation
Maintain GNC standards (sensor/actuator interfaces, filter design, control law documentation).Ensure all artifacts, analyses, software, deliverables, and documents are version-controlled.Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR, etc.).Support the technology roadmap and innovation.In-Orbit Support & Operations
Provide technical support to SatOps teams for satellite performance monitoring.Support anomaly cause investigations;
update databases and capitalize on return of experience (REX).Analyze telemetry and generate performance reports.Required Qualifications:
B.Sc. in Electrical, Aerospace, or Physics Engineering (M.Sc. preferred), with 10+ years of experience in GNC/AOCS on LEO, MEO, or GEO platforms.Mastery of orbital dynamics, multi-axis control laws, and Kalman filters.Strong writing skills and a solid understanding of space engineering fundamentals.Hands-on profile: capable of supporting integration, testing, and troubleshooting processes.Experience with Confluence and JIRA.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.Ability to break down complex problems into basic elements to solve them through analysis, analogy, or creativity.Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (contact with clients outside Quebec and drafting deliverables in English).
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