Satellite Electrical Propulsion Systems Engineer

MANNARINO Systems & Software Inc. is a leader in providing safety-critical systems, software, hardware and certification engineering services to the aerospace, defense, space, simulation & power generation industries.

Our customer base is very large, covering traditional aerospace companies as well as new and exciting markets, including electric propulsion, Urban Air Mobility , Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and autonomous flight.

The MANNARINO culture is focused on high quality, hard work, professionalism and teamwork within a highly respectful, motivating atmosphere geared towards long-term business growth.

As a member of our team, you will benefit from:

• a comprehensive group insurance and RRSP plan

• a flextime policy with paid overtime

• discretionary bonuses

• a fitness reimbursement program

• other office perks such as catered weekly lunches and free hot beverages (espresso, coffee, hot chocolate and tea)

• regular company outings

Career Opportunity and Primary Roles / Responsibilities

We are seeking a Satellite Electrical Propulsion Systems 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 & Requirements

• Translate 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 and storage systems, and control electronics.

• Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the project lifecycle.

Detailed Design

• Perform system-level power, thermal, and mass budget analyses; produce trade-off matrices (thrust vs. power vs. propellant mass, reliability vs. complexity).

• Lead detailed mechanical and electrical design of thruster mounting, heater/thermal control, and PPU (converters, regulators, and fault protection).

• Define propellant handling hardware (tanks, valves, feed lines, and interconnects) and develop contamination control procedures.

• Negotiate ICDs and interface agreements with external thruster vendors and component suppliers.

Modeling & Simulation

• Support or develop 1-D and 3-D plume models and perform reliability predictions.

Software & Control

• Define command and telemetry interfaces for EP and health-monitoring telemetry.

• Work with FSW teams to develop thrust profile generation and Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) algorithms.

Cross-Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Communicate technical status, risk assessments, and trade-study results to senior management and/or customers and partners.

• Negotiate and manage ICDs with platform subsystems and supplier teams.

• Support B&P activities (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 & Mentorship

• Mentor and guide junior engineers and interns.

• Act as technical liaison with customers, partners, and external vendors.

• Act as a stakeholder for continuous improvement initiatives.

• Contribute to knowledge-sharing activities, process enhancements, and standards development.

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

• Author and maintain electric propulsion standards (thruster qualification, PPU design, contamination limits).

• Ensure all artefacts, analyses, software, deliverables, and documentation are maintained under configuration control within the PLM environment.

• Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR, etc.).

• Support technology roadmaps and innovation initiatives.

Launch-Site, On-Orbit & Operations Support

• Provide real-time EP support during launch, early-orbit checkout, and routine station-keeping activities.

• Support on-orbit checkout procedures, thruster test campaigns, and contingency recovery plans.

• Support SOOH development and associated operator training.

Required Qualifications:

• B.Sc . in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 8+ years of electrical propulsion engineering experience on LEO and/or MEO platforms.

• Strong knowledge of EP thruster families and their performance characteristics.

• Experience with propellant storage and feed-system design (tanks, valves, micro-valves).

• Strong understanding of aerospace systems engineering fundamentals, space environment, and orbital mechanics.

• Hands-on individual capable of supporting systems integration processes, testing activities, and problem resolution.

• Experience with Confluence and Jira.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with little to no supervision.

• Ability to distill complex problems into fundamental elements and solve them through analysis, analogy, or creativity.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Knowledge of French will be considered an asset.

• Ability to support spacecraft operations teams during critical mission phases.

Knowledge of English is required to communicate and work with customers outside the province of Quebec. / La connaissance de l'anglais est requise pour communiquer et travailler avec nos clients situés à l'extérieur de la province de Québec.

At MANNARINO, we believe that passion and a desire to learn is crucial. Diversity of thought and experiences leads to innovative solutions and creativity. This is why we would like to encourage all those interested to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be held in strict confidence. Only those selected for interview will be contacted.