Senior Manager, GEO Spacecraft Operations Engineering

Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 55 years. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise and Government users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.

 
The company’s state-of-the-art Satellite fleet consists of 12 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite. For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit

Role Overview:

The Senior Manager, GEO Satellite Operations Engineering will have overall responsibility for management oversight of technical personnel supporting the Satellite Engineering and Flight Dynamics operations activities of Telesat’s in-orbit fleet of geostationary satellites. As such this role is fully responsible for ensuring the health of all spacecraft subsystems, the effective maintenance of satellite orbits and assurance of fleet-wide space situational awareness in order to maximize transponder availability and customer business needs on a 24/7 basis.

The incumbent will be responsible for managing a highly specialized technical team including assigning, scheduling and ensuring proper completion of duties. This oversight includes items such as; assigning spacecraft responsibility, maneuver planning or checking roles, seasonal spacecraft adjustments, on-call duty scheduling, timeliness of spacecraft activities, maneuvers or reports and any special projects deemed essential to ensuring business continuity.

In addition to delegating assignments and managing the execution, the Senior Manager will serve as a technical liaison to guide implementation, ensuring compliance with Telesat’s operational standards. This includes, on an as required basis, engineering oversight of all resources assigned to each satellite bus type. For technical discussions, impacting fleet operations, the Sr Manager, GEO Satellite Operations will be the primary facilitator, ensuring proper expertise remains available to ensure thorough understanding and execution of all operational tasks for the effective and safe control of all satellites. When necessary, external or manufacturer consultation may be required.

Main Responsibilities

Personnel Management Responsibilities:

Lead, mentor and develop the Satellite Operations Engineering Team. Assign Spacecraft and Duty assignments to individuals ensuring a balanced work load for the group. Maintain a callout list to ensure the SCC always has access to resources in an emergency or to respond to a question. Ensure assigned work is completed in a timely manner and accurate (maneuvers, reports etc). Track performance of all projects to make sure they are proceeding to plan. Provide performance and career developmental feedback to employees. Recruit, onboard and retain technical talent.

Technical Management Responsibilities:

Mentor all engineers on all tasks or questions as needed. Ensure engineers understand all requirements for each spacecraft assigned. Define requirements for any special studies required and review results once complete. Design new employee training plans to get them up to speed in an efficient manner. Review new technical programs with the team (inclined ops, anomaly response) to keep everyone up to speed. Periodically review technical performance and update existing processes and procedures to ensure satellite capability is maximized. Review all current reports and ensure spacecraft are maintained appropriately. Have new reports implemented as needs arise. Work with engineers to ensure all procedures are followed properly. Initiate team meetings to discuss any needed changes to any procedures. Review existing process and procedures and implement new ones as the needs of the business and the status of the fleet evolve. Develop specialized procedures for anomaly responses. Optimize spacecraft operations in inclined orbits to extend its operational life. Response to business or customer needs (antenna moves, collocation, new tasks).

Education and Experience required:

• Bachelor or Masters in Science or Engineering
• 10+ years Spacecraft Operations and Engineering experience with more 2+ years of management experience desired
• Managing both short- and long-term spacecraft operations, including maintaining spacecraft health, safety, and position.
• Maximizing spacecraft capabilities and mission lifetime through effective management of power, fuel, inclined-orbit operations, and other spacecraft resources.
• Developing, refining, and implementing spacecraft operations procedures.
• Leading operational adjustments in response to anomalies, spacecraft changes, and evolving customer or business requirements.