Software Engineer Ground Systems / Operations

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) 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 MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK 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.

MDA Geospatial Services is strengthening the software development team in support of satellite operations and is seeking an experienced and versatile Software Engineer to join our team in St. Bruno, QC.

Your Mission:

The Software Engineer will work under the supervision of the Lead Software Engineer and specific Component Lead/Product Owner to participate in the development, integration, testing and maintenance of user interfaces and web services, using established software engineer principles and software configuration management techniques. The Software Engineer will also be interacting with the operations team to help find and prevent operational issues as well as maintain/improve the development environment for the systems he will be working on.

The Software Engineer will support CHORUS-C and/or Radarsat-2 (R2) and/or Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) if needed.

R2 is a Canadian commercial satellite and provides high-resolution SAR imagery to customers around the world. RCM is a constellation of three satellites, which provides high-resolution SAR imagery. CHORUS-C is the next MDA generation commercial Earth observation (EO) mission.

This position is located in MDA control center, in St Bruno QC.

Responsibilities:

• Perform software engineering to develop, integrate, test and maintain ground system applications


• Contribute to the product roadmap in collaboration with the team and Product Owner


• Interact with operation teams to support application integration and testing within operational and development environments.


• API lifecycle release management


• Work closely with our operations and production teams to provide Level 3 support.


• Document the various software development phases (e.g., test and maintenance plan).


• Maintain, update and improve the development environment as well as all the needed systems (database, file transfers etc …)


• Manage and document bugs and issues including CVEs

Secondary responsibilities:

• Tools development to support system maintenance and automation


• Support investigation and fix of database and system issues.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• Completed post-secondary education (B.Sc., M.Sc. or equivalent) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related discipline. IT Diploma and relevant experiences will also be considered.


• Minimum 5 years related experience in software development


• Experience with React.js and typescript


• Experience with Python including Django framework


• Experience with SQL (SQL server, PostgreSQL),


• Experience with Java using maven (including Spring framework and Hibernate)


• Experience with Agile processes and issue tracking tools like JIRA


• Experience with containerization and CI/CD processes


• Knowledge of Windows and Linux OS


• Able to solve problems and ability to work in an operational environment that might have important time, procedural and security constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with XML, JSON, SVN, Git, Jira and Jenkins.


• Knowledge of Cybersecurity as it relates to web applications


• Knowledge of C++ development, standards and specifications


• Experience with Kafka messaging system


• Experience with AWS or other cloud infrastructure


• Knowledge of MongoDB


• Attention to detail and desire to probe further into data


• Prior satellite related knowledge (e.g., ground system, operation, orbit ...) is an asset

Comments/Special Considerations:

• Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level


• Upgrade to secret status level and security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) might be needed depending on additional project being worked on


• While there might be possibility for 1 day work from home, it is expected the candidate to work on site.

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and 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.