Software Engineer - Satellite payloads

For those who dream of advancing our space in the Universe and on Earth, we’ll take you there.

Serving the world from our Canadian home and our global offices, MDA is an international space mission partner and robotics & space operations, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50-year story of firsts on and above the Earth. Today, we're leading the charge towards viable Moon colonies, enhanced Earth observation, communication in a hyper-connected world, and more.

We’re fueled by a pioneering spirit that carries us beyond. And together we enable highly skilled people to continually push boundaries and tackle big challenges requiring solutions that endure and inspire.

Are you ready to launch the next stage of your career in the new space economy? We would love to hear from you!

MDA’s international footprint in the UK creates opportunities to work with some of the most exciting space industrial players in the country. Delivering all three business area capabilities in Geointelligence, Robotics & Space Operations, and Satellite Systems, our UK team provides support to our European-based customers while specializing in the development of advanced space sensors for exploration missions as well as space-based communication technology. As our presence grows overseas, so does our need for new ambitious team players to help us advance our place in the Universe and beyond.

Responsibilities:

The software engineering role we are recruiting for will address our software development needs in two areas:

1. The development of middleware and application software for our payload systems
2. The development of software for our test systems

Our payload middleware and application software provide our customers with a suite of functions used to control all aspects of the operation of our payload. These build upon existing software libraries and drivers interfacing directly to the hardware. The software runs on the Linux operating system. Given the resource constraints of our system and soft real-time requirements for some functions, we foresee implementation in C or C++. The software must also operate reliably in the space environment to enable our customers to meet their service level agreements.

Our ground-based test software is pivotal to the validation and verification of our systems. This software will orchestrate the operation of the payload under test (via the aforementioned application software) and various test equipment to implement a defined set of tests. Furthermore, the software will generate pass/fail status and present select results in a suitable form (e.g., graphically). It needs to be rapidly adaptable according to needs that emerge in the test campaign. It must, however, be robust and traceable to guarantee the integrity of the test results, which is key to customer acceptance.

The successful candidate will play a key role not only in the implementation, but also in the definition of these software solutions. Beyond the minimum requirements for the role, we value greatly the ability to bring innovation to our products and design processes.

Required Skills:

Essential:
• Proven ability to derive a software architecture from a set of requirements
• Experience in developing Python applications and modules
• Experience in developing C/C++ in embedded systems using the Linux operating system
• Experience of formal development, test, integration and documentation processes and associated industry tool sets, e.g., Git, Jenkins.

Desirable:
• Proven track record of innovation, particularly in bringing modern software technologies, tools and methodologies to improve products and simplify their development
• Experience in design of high availability software systems
• Experience in design of secure software systems
• Knowledge of wireless telecommunications systems
     - Our systems are focused primarily on layer 1 and 2 and are satellite based, but knowledge of corresponding wireless terrestrial systems (e.g., LTE, 5G) and upper layers is also valuable.
• Knowledge and application of Python numerical libraries (e.g., numpy, matplotlib)
• Experience of operating and automating radio frequency test equipment
• Knowledge of Linux kernel and device drivers
• Knowledge of electronics hardware related to our products, including phased arrays, processor electronics etc.

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 leadership in this next golden age.

Comments/Special Considerations:

We are required to conduct a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) screening in which we will check your:

• Right to work: To confirm that you are entitled to take up the position as well as check your nationality and immigration status
• Identity: Full ID check
• Criminal records: Basic Disclosure
• Employment history check: Confirmation of past three years of employment (minimum) history/activity

Benefits statement:

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; private healthcare, disability income protection, life insurance, pension plan; and an employee assistance program.

Equal opportunity statement:

MDA is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

COVID statement:

COVID-19 Hiring Update: Strengthening our workforce is more important than ever to meet our customers’ mission-critical needs. We are continuing to hire many talented people, and we are closely monitoring COVID-19 to ensure safe hiring practices are used. This includes limiting onsite candidate interviews and prioritizing video interviews.

 

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