Engineering Director

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.

The Role:

The Director, Engineering is a catalyst leader and change agent that leads a modern engineering workforce of over 500+ people.  The Director is a member of the Robotics and Space Operations (RSO) leadership team, and is responsible for the engineering design and development of space robotics, planetary rovers, artificial intelligence-based control systems, and terrestrial solutions spun out of space technologies. 

This role oversees the Engineering Management team, who is responsible for hiring, developing, and deploying 500+ staff into Programs and Products in a matrix-based environment. This role will work very closely with Program and Product leadership, to ensure the teams have the right talent to execute on the business’ growth plans, and deliver results through unparalleled execution.

It is expected that the Director will fully participate in business strategy and technology roadmap development, and then continuously align, improve, and modernize engineering practices to drive enhanced business performance, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.

The Director will lead through a significant period of multiple program execution, as well as an organizational transition from program-based to program-product-based design and development.  Therefore, the incumbent must lead recruitment, retention, development, and succession of a diverse engineering workforce.   The Director must optimize business, personnel, and technical leadership at all times, providing the most effective and engaged team possible.  In parallel, the Director will drive the adoption of next generation engineering tools, techniques, and procedures optimized for agile development, design, and manufacturing to cost, at continuously accelerated competitive schedule timelines.

It is essential that the incumbent must be a visionary, capable of charting a course for the engineering organization that not only meets current needs but also anticipates future trends and challenges, and a passionate leader who truly owns the engineering function-leading every aspect from strategy to day-to-day operations. They are dedicated to creating a world leading capability that continuously improves.

Job Responsibilities:

• Engineering Resource Management.
  Work with Engineering Line Managers to hire resources, manage training and skills development, including career development and performance planning, while ensuring alignment with individual, departmental and corporate objectives. Coach direct reports in setting personal achievement goals, supporting relevant learning and development.
• Engineering Resource Allocation.
  Ensure optimal engineering talent assignment, and re-allocation when required, according to business priorities across the full bid and project portfolio. Oversee the forecast and planning for those resources, with the goal of meeting or exceeding individual program and overall business objectives
• Engineering Process Governance.
  Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining functional standards, systems and policies, and ensures compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory rules and standards.
• Engineering Strategy Ownership.
  Work closely with RSO leadership team to understand the company’s business strategy and shape engineering capability accordingly.
• Innovation Leadership.
  Drive engineering teams to innovate MDA’s market offering by challenging the workforce to continuously improve our technical solutions in order to meet customer requirements, budget, and schedule.
• Bid Solution Governance.
  Lead engineering discussions in bid development and review process to ensure proposed solution and costing aligns with customer priorities, competitive environment needs as well as the program-product-based strategy. Work with Line of Business leaders to ensure (1) proposed solutions are aligned with the product baselines, (2) cost estimation is right, and (3) that we are costing the right things.
• Design-to-Cost Leadership.
  Create an environment that challenges bid teams, program teams and product development teams to continuously engage in design-to-cost approach. Encourage teams to perform “Make or Buy” decisions, in order to optimize cost/schedule while developing strategy for in-house vs. outsource skillset.
• Independent Review Teams.

The Director of Engineering will chair independent technical, cost and schedule assessments to ensure the optimal technical solution is supported by accurate cost and schedule baselines, together with appropriate risk assessment and mitigation plans.

• Customer Technical Interface.
  Represent MDA Engineering capability in customer meetings & business development initiatives.
• Fosters an Engaged, Accountable Culture.

The Director of Engineering fosters a highly engaged culture with accountability, promoting transparency, open communication, and recognition of achievements. By setting clear expectations and providing feedback mechanisms, they empower individuals to take ownership of their work, learn from mistakes, and contribute to MDA’s success.

• Continuous Improvement Leadership.
  Oversees the continuous improvement of engineering processes and procedures, including creating process improvement strategies and capital acquisitions, and selecting process improvement methodologies.
  
  
• Budget Management.

Create and manage departmental budget.

 

Job Requirements: 

• BSc, BEng, or equivalent in an engineering or applied science discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience and currency in relevant technical and business fields.
• Proven past performance leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams of greater than 100 people
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering culture change management
• Experience in product-based, design-to-cost environments considered an asset
• Strong understanding of delivering on technical, cost, and schedule commitments within a Firm Fixed Price contract
• Successfully demonstrated the ability to cultivate an engaged, positive culture marked by accountability and a strong focus on delivery and execution
• Passionate engineering leader with the motivation to develop a modern engineering workforce
• Organized, self-starter comfortable engaging business and technology decision makers within RSO, within partner organizations, and with potential customers.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of how to align engineering practices to meet industry and market demands
• Team player that demonstrated high level of integrity
• Strong knowledge of relevant technologies, products, services and methods.
• Proven financial, budgeting and planning skills
• Strong oral, written and verbal communication skills
• Charismatic, strong and relatable communication style
• Result orientated and exhibits excellent critical thinking
• Works well in a dynamic environment where some of the parameters are unknown and some change regularly.
• Strives to provide customers/clients with personalized and efficient service.

 

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) and ITAR.

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #MissionMDA 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 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.