Satellite Electrical Propulsion Systems Engineer

Role overview:
MDA is seeking a
Satellite Electrical Propulsion System Engineer
to define, design, analyse, integrate, and verify electric propulsion (EP) subsystems (thrusters, power‑processing units, feed‑systems, and control electronics) for current and next‑generation remote sensing and communications satellites. The role will bridge spacecraft electrical power architecture, thermal‑management, and mission‑performance requirements, and may act as the technical authority for EP on multiple programs.Tasks summary:
Architecture Concept & RequirementsTranslate mission‑level ΔV, thrust, lifetime, and reliability goals into EP system requirements (performance, power, mass, contamination, EMI).Produce System Requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Description documents for thruster assemblies, Power‑Processing Units (PPU), propellant feed & storage, and control electronics.Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the project lifecycle.Detailed DesignPerform system‑level power, thermal, and mass budget analyses;
produce trade‑off matrices (thrust vs. power vs. propellant mass, reliability vs. complexity).Lead detailed mechanical/electrical design of thruster mounting, heater/thermal control, and PPU (converter, regulator, fault‑protection).Define propellant handling hardware (tanks, valves, feed‑lines, interconnects) and develop contamination control procedures.Negotiate ICDs and interface agreements with external thruster vendors and component suppliers.Modeling & SimulationSupport or Develop 1‑D/3‑D plume models and perform reliability prediction.Software & ControlDefine command and telemetry interfaces for EP & health‑monitoring telemetry.Work with FSW teams to develop thrust profile generation, and fault detection isolation recovery (FDIR) algorithms.Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program InteractionCommunicate technical status, risk assessments and trade‑study results to senior management and/or customers or partners.Negotiate and manage ICDs with platform subsystems and supplier teams.Support B&P (Phase 0 & pre-phase A).Integration & Verification (IVV)Develop verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures for unit, subsystem, and spacecraft‑level EP tests.Oversee hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and thrust‑stand testing, including thrust‑calibration, specific impulse measurement, pulse‑modulation, and lifetime cycling.Technical Leadership & MentorshipMentor, guide junior engineers and interns.Act as technical liaison with customers, partners and external vendorsAct as Continuous Improvement stakeholderContribute to MDA’s knowledge‑base, process enhancements, and standards development.Configuration, Documentation & Standards ManagementAuthor and maintain MDA EP standards (thruster qualification, PPU design, contamination limits).Ensure all artefacts, analysis, software, deliverables and documentations are version controlled in PLM environment.Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR…etc.).Support Technology Road‑Mapping & Innovation.Launch‑Site, On‑Orbit & Operations SupportProvide real‑time EP support during launch, early‑orbit checkout, and routine station‑keeping.Support on‑orbit checkout procedures, thruster test campaigns, and contingency recovery plans.Support SOOH development and associated operatorRequired Qualifications:
Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Physics with 5+years of electrical propulsion engineering experience on LEO/MEO platforms.Strong knowledge of EP thruster families and their performance characteristics.Experience with propellant storage & feed‑system design (tanks, valves, micro‑valves).Strong understanding of aerospace system engineering fundamentals, space environment and orbit mechanics.Hands‑on individual who can support systems integration processes and capability to test systems and resolve problems.Experience with Confluence and JIRA.Demonstrated capability to efficiently work with little to no supervisionAbility to distill complex problems to fundamentals to solve with analysis, similarity, or creativity.Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
knowledge of French will be considered an asset (Contact with clients outside Quebec and work on deliverables in English).Support the Spacecraft operations team in critical phases.Comments/Special Considerations:
Successful candidates must obtain and hold
security clearance at the reliability status
level, and pass security assessment for the
Controlled Goods Program (CGP) .
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