Supervisor - Software Development

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 Supervisor, Software Engineering role is part of an initiative to develop MDA’s future leaders from within. Each placement will be for a 2-year term allowing for the opportunity to explore the management career path and to develop leadership skills. Employees would then have the option to go back to the technical path or pursue a management path if both MDA and the employee agree.

The Supervisor, Software Engineering is a member of the leadership team and reports to the Manager, Software Engineering. The supervisor manages a section of a large size engineering department, through developing and maintaining a workforce with the key technical skills necessary to ensure proper execution and delivery of the company’s products and projects. The Supervisor will manage recruitment, development, engagement and retention, and succession planning within their team.  

In addition, the incumbent will support the Manager, Software Engineering with other aspects of the full departmental activities such as technological roadmap development, continuous improvement, modernization of engineering practices, and customer satisfaction. They will support the adoption of next-generation engineering tools, techniques, and procedures to increase competitiveness in their discipline area.

Job Specific Tasks:

Resource Management:

• Assist the manager with recruitment and training
• Monitors and manages overall employee performance, conducts annual performance appraisals, and sets individual objectives.
• Provides staffing expertise to support the demand of Programs, R&D, and Business Development. Ensures that staffing supports the demand of current and future MDA programs.
• Develops staff to ensure necessary skill sets. Establishes and regularly updates succession plans for key skills to avoid single point failures and bottlenecks in resource allocation.
• Ensures group competency remains abreast of state-of-the-art techniques in the respective engineering/manufacturing / support service disciplines.
• Ensures staff works in an environment fostering innovation and evolution to maximize their satisfaction within the constraints of the business, supporting career planning, providing regular feedbacks and celebrating successes.
• Oversees engineering facilities, processes, and tools required to support department activities and program needs.
• Identifies and manages facility conflicts between all programs for flight or development activities as appropriate to the department.
• Supports management of departmental overhead budget within allocation and provides forecasts to finance as required.
• Supports coordination of capital planning for the department. Proposes necessary capital investment items with proper financial justification and implements the procurement.
• Ensures the proper application of the company’s collective agreements.

Technical overview:

• Review proposals and technical solutions.
• Participates in or leads Technical Review meetings.
• Coordinates and ensures distribution of lessons learned.
• Supports internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented as required.
• Supports leads with technical troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Provides expert support to MRBs and customer enquiries where needed.

Process development, maintenance, and application:

• Ensures proper application and adherence to overall company policies and processes by staff in the department.
• Supports development and maintenance of departmental specific policies, processes, work instructions and standards and ensures they are available to, and followed by staff.
• Proposes and leads new initiatives, or participates in initiatives for business process improvement (BPI) to improve departmental or global efficiency.
• Acts as the area owner and ensures all Health & Safety procedures and policies are adhered to and maintained.

Front End of the Business:

• Provides support and participate in proposal activities
• Makes recommendations to the product development organisation for new products and R&D initiatives in line with the company’s strategic direction.
• Supports and coordinates patent applications in conjunction with the product development organisation. Ensures that the company’s trade secrets and proprietary information is protected and handled securely.
• Performs other tasks as required such as; leading proposals at the front end of the business, managing small projects or parts thereof, providing support to subcontract management, participating in collective agreement negotiations.

Work Experience Requirements:

• Currently an engineering employee of MDA, preferably within the Software Department.
• Minimum 3 years of Software Development experience (designing, writing, and testing code)
• Good working knowledge of Software development methodologies and processes.
• Demonstrated ability for people skills, conflict resolution and leadership skills.
• Career aspirations to managing teams of people in a dynamic environment.
• Experience or interest in developing skills in resource management, negotiations, risk management techniques and financial reporting.

Education requirements:

Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar discipline.

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 #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 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.

The compensation range for this position is $95,000 - $120,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.