Satellite System Mechanical and Thermal Engineer

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.

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

We’re on the hunt for a Satellite System Mechanical and Thermal Engineer on our Satellite systems team at our Montreal office.

As the leading global independent commercial supplier of antennas, payloads, and electronics for communication and radar satellites, our team has successfully contributed to hundreds of missions in the past 60 years. With an extensive heritage in a wide range of solutions delivered to customers globally, our Satellite Systems team continues to grow and evolve on the ground and in the stars.

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.

 

Job Responsibilities:

• The candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, propulsion engineers, electrical engineers, digital engineers to bring designs to life.
• Oversee satellite mechanical and thermal design, including support to Propulsion System Module, Telemetry, Command and Ranging subsystem, Bus Power and Attitude Control Systems, subsystems design and RF performance analysis during the satellite life cycle, including bids, requirement definition, project implementation, testing phases along with R&D activities in support of satellite or processes improvement.
• Devolve Customer Requirements into Satellite and then Subsystem Requirements.
• Define / agree Mechanical and Thermal Interfaces (ICDs) for units, subsystems and overall Satellite to Ground Support Equipment, Launch Vehicle and Space Environments.
• Generate, track and maintain Satellite Budgets Documents.
• Define Test Requirements Documentation and Test Plans for Vibration and Thermal Vacuum Testing.
• Support design trades that successfully balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Review structural and thermal analyses and results performed by detailed engineering departments or subcontractors for a variety of hardware ranging from component level through unit, subsystem and system level.
• Design, analyze, and procure thermal solutions such as heaters, heat pipes, thermal interface materials, and surface coatings as well as structures of different materials.
• Develop processes and procedures for integration and assembly which ensure thermal design intent is met. Assist the integration and test team in the installation of thermal hardware as needed.
• Plan and oversee thermal vacuum testing and verification at the component and spacecraft level.
• Develop integration and test plans for vibration and large structure alignment such as solar arrays and large antennas.

 

Responsibilities:

• Review and support design and placement of equipment such as thrusters, pneumatics, tanks, tubing and bracketry
• Perform mechanical and thermal analysis utilizing appropriate tools.
• Help identify and resolve mechanical performance issues.
• Documentation (assembly procedures, process control, inspection, etc.)
• Interface with vendor or in-house fabrication and assembly teams during design and prototype hardware builds.
• Commission testing of subsystem (leak, proof, burst, vibration, shock, thermal)
• Develop test plans for parts through development, qualification, and acceptance testing
• Set, implement, and maintain schedules and budgets to ensure project completion
• Provide support to and/or lead satellite platform design activities.
• Participate in the Satellite electrical and RF performance evaluation.
• Write engineering documentations: system requirements, SOC, verification and validation matrix, design description, systems budgets, equipment specifications, test requirements, RFD/RFW.
• Perform system worst case analysis, inputs and support to safety plans, launch vehicle integration and program reviews such as EQSR, SRR, PDR, CDR.
• Support Satellite/ Platform assembly Integration and Test. Attend test reviews: TRR, TRB, DRB, and NCR’s.
• Support Satellite/Platform testing: MGSE, Test supervision, data analysis.
• Support Satellite tests.
• Support In-Orbit Test (IOT).
• Technical monitoring of major subcontractors.

 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, 10+ years of relevant experience
• Proficiency with mechanical CAD
• Experience in thermal analysis and thermally-constrained design; computational thermal design experience (finite methods) is not required but highly preferred
• Previous design and AIT experience with GEO and LEO satellite systems
• Understanding of the space environment and orbital mechanics
• Strong understanding of aerospace systems and engineering fundamentals
• Experience with qualification and acceptance testing of new designs
• High degree of attention to detail
• Demonstrated capability to efficiently work with little to no supervision
• Ability to distill complex problems to fundamentals to solve with analysis, similarity, or creativity
• Experience creating or using models and/or simulation software
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Experience leading a technical team
• Support the spacecraft operations team in critical phases
• Bilingual (French / English)

 

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.

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; 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.

Equal opportunity statement :

MDA Ltd. 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.