On Site Rep (OSR)

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.

We’re on the hunt for an On-Site Rep (OSR) for the Submarine Command Team Trainer– (SCTT) in our Geointelligence Engineering Team in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Role:

We are seeking a dynamic, self-motivated candidate with good communication and people skills, and proven experience leading delivery by systems engineering teams. As the SCTT OSR Operations Lead you will be intimately engaged with the submarine community and the submarine training organization.

Excellent internal and external communication and leadership skills are necessary in-order-to work closely with the customer, with other technical teams, to obtain support from other MDA staff as needed, and to develop robust, capable, and cost-effective systems and solutions.

Job Responsibilities:

As On-Site Rep (OSR) – SCTT, you may have a wide range of responsibilities that include, but are not limited to:

Trainer Operations Support:

The Contractor's OSRS Shall provide support for the SCTT. Trainer operations support is services rendered by the OSRs to assist in the start-up, set-up, operation and shut-down of the SCTT within the access limitations promulgated by DND, and system administration duties to maintain or the SCTT performance. Operations support services shall include but may not limited to:

1. Configuring the SCTT and setting up the SCTT for training as directed by DND POC.
2. Providing formal training to new DND personnel on operation and capabilities of SCTT.
3. Providing formal training to DND personnel in achieving specific objectives regarding the use of the SCTT.
4. Assisting DND personnel to prepare scenarios, modify sound files, and other scenario generating actions.
5. Liaising with DND POC daily to ensure operational priorities are understood and problems are being addressed.
6. Flash-up, daily readiness checks, and shutdown of SCTT in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure.
7. Modification / adjustment of entity characteristics in the Signatures Database.
8. Assisting instructors and students during scheduled SCTT training within the restrictions outlined in sections 9.13 and 9.14.
9. Assisting instructors with the preparation of training plans and training-related documentation.
10. Assisting with briefing and demonstrations of SCTT capabilities to military and external audiences within the restrictions outlined in sections 9.13 and 9.14.
11. Investigating, documenting and communicating system malfunctions to the DND POC.
12. Troubleshooting and resolving system problems.
13. Liaising with Contractor Engineering Services to resolve problems beyond local capabilities.
14. Identifying work which has been performed in investigating and correcting deficiencies that are covered under warranty and making sure this is appropriately documented and reported.
15. Producing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure safe and effective Trainer operation.
16. Performing configuration management activities to keep the SCTT and SCTT documentation in the authorized configuration.
17. Updates to Trainer documentation (user manuals, etc.).
18. Maintaining logs/records that document issues, faults, repairs, preventative maintenance, configuration changes and upgrades to the SCTT.
19. Under direction of the DND TA and the DND POC, preparing and promulgating health and safety instructions for persons working in, being trained in and/or visiting the SCTT; and
20. Under direction of the DND TA and the DND POC, performing and documenting audits/inspections to determine compliance with the health safety instructions, and submitting results and recommendations for improvement to the DND TA and DND POC. Audits and inspections are to be performed yearly, as a minimum. Should the OSRs become aware of situations or activities that have endangered or might endanger the health and safety of persons in the SCTT space, the OSRs shall report these immediately to DND TA and POC.
21. The OSRs may also provide similar support outside of normal working to CFNOS for general submarine training, as and when required.

System Administration:

The OSRs shall perform system administration activities (preventative and minor corrective software maintenance). For problems beyond OSRs' capabilities, the OSRs shall initiate and assist second and third line support activities. Responsibilities shall include but may not be limited to:

1. Establish and validate a SCTT system backup and recovery strategy.
2. Perform system backups in accordance with the SCTT system backup and recovery strategy.
3. Perform SCTT system recovery as required.
4. Update Standard Operating Procedures for SCTT detailing flash-up, shutdown, backup, restore and other procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate documentation of SCTT operations.
5. Monitor system resource usage (file systems, memory, network bandwidth, etc.) for indications of bottlenecks or trends towards resource shortages.
6. Monitor and analyze system performance.
7. Clean file systems of old and unnecessary files.
8. Control SCTT system security by implementing secure log-in controls and enforcing password procedures, and securing system administration passwords.
9. Install authorized software upgrades, system updates and modifications.
10. Troubleshoot and diagnose SCTT system faults.
11. Document all SCTT system software administration activities.
12. Run system diagnostics to identify problems. and
13. Perform database clean up and maintenance as required.

Required Experience:

The ideal candidate should possess the following military qualifications:

• AEDN/AILU – Submarine Warfare Officer
• AEHR – Submarine Attack Coordination
• AEDO – Submarine Towed Array Evaluating

The OSRs shall have a minimum of one (1) year experience in each of the following areas:

1. Prior experience and domain knowledge of the naval environment, submarine tactics, submarine systems, submarine weapon systems and underwater acoustics.
2. Experience in preparing training courses and training materials and instructing others through both informal and formal training.
3. Experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintenance plans, maintenance reports and technical report / proposals.
4. Experience in investigating and diagnosing failures in Windows-based computer networks and conducting first-line repairs through component replacement.
5. Experience in performing daily system operation duties for Windows-based computer networks, including system start-up, set-up/configuration, shut-down, and recovery from power failure.
6. Experience in performing basic system administration duties for Windows-based computer networks, including software. backups, file maintenance, database maintenance, security, operating system patches and upgrades, and management of user access accounts; and
7. Experience in conducting maintenance of complex mechanical assemblies (e.g. replicated periscope).

Knowledge / skills in the following areas are also required:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
2. Effective inter-personal skills.
3. Good organizational skills.
4. Configuration management practices for computer networks (both hardware and software).
5. Software development and test practices; and
6. How to raise discrepancies and ability to test that they have been solved (e.g. to describe issues and install/test the fixes).

The following additional OSR qualifications are desirable:

1. Ability to perform or assist with training scenario generation, training scenario execution, pre and post-training briefings, and Trainer demonstrations.
2. A good knowledge of LINUX based computer system administration
3. A good knowledge of UNIX based computer system administration (if applicable for NCOT/VCNM).

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.

Comments/Special Considerations:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the NATO SECRET status level (Active clearances are preferred) and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

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.