Satellite Operation Specialist

MDA Geospatial Services is strengthening the operation and development team in support of the MDA missions operated at the Canadian Space Agency, in St-Hubert, QC. They include RADARSAT-2 and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). RADARSAT-2 is a Canadian commercial satellite and provides high-resolution SAR imagery to customers around the world. RCM is a constellation of three satellites, which provides high-resolution SAR imagery for the Canadian Government users.

 The satellite operations team at MDA is responsible for all flight operations activities with a focus on monitoring and maintaining the health and safety of the ground and spacecraft systems, as well as improving their reliability and efficiency.

During its first year with the team, the candidate can expect to gain exposure in all the flight operation functional areas before transitioning to an on-call role. Main functional areas include mission operation planning, mission operation assessment and spacecraft operation control. After training, the Satellite Operations Specialist (SOS) will act as a first responder to any anomalies and will be responsible for leading investigations and recoveries. The SOS will be required to implement system modifications of both spacecraft and ground systems with cross-system interdependencies to enhance or maintain performance. The SOS should have a good understanding of spacecraft subsystems, including bus and payload. The SOS will also require an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ground systems including those used to task the spacecraft as well as processing and analysis tools used for performance monitoring of spacecraft telemetry. A good understanding of operational constraints and procedures is also essential. The SOS may have to review, test, and develop operational procedures and write reports.

The candidate should have excellent organizational, leadership, and communications skills as well as a strong sense of real-time operations management. The candidate should have a good ability to work independently with initiative and little supervision as well as good reporting skills to management.

Teamwork skills and a positive attitude are essential for building productive working relationships in a satellite operations environment.

 This position is located at the MDA Control Centre, Canadian Space Agency Headquarters, in St-Hubert, QC.

 Primary responsibilities:

• Monitor and report system performance against defined metrics through spacecraft telemetry and other data sources
• Identify improvements in the overall system that would lead to increased operationally efficiency, effectiveness and/or customer satisfaction
• Plan, deconflict and perform satellite maintenance activities as recommended by manufacturers
• Troubleshoot system (satellite and/or ground) anomalies with on-call support on a rotational basis when non-nominal operations are detected
• Lead development projects for system and operational enhancements
• Follow well-defined procedures and enforce application of well-defined processes
• Maintain flight operations systems, operations procedures, and other operational tools
• Participate in Issue Review Boards (IRBs), Change Control Boards (CCBs), and Anomaly Review Boards (ARBs)

 Requirements:

• Degree or higher degree in numerate discipline, preferably in the areas of electrical, aerospace or mechanical engineering or physics. Post graduate degree in other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields will also be considered
• Good understanding of satellite bus subsystems (ADCS, power, thermal, etc.) and/or radar payload systems
• Strong leadership experience
• Flexible team player, with the agility to work in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Well-organized with ability to independently manage priorities
• Keen interest and passion for innovation
• Good verbal and written communication skills; Working language is in English
• Willingness to be “on-call” to support anomaly decision and resolution process, if needed, in unsocial hours
• The work is to be performed on site at the Canadian Space Agency in St-Hubert 5 days a week.
• The candidate must be able to qualify for a Canadian Secret level clearance

 Assets:

• Experience in programming languages such as Java and C/C++ as well as JavaScript, Python and/or Perl
• Experience in Database such as Postgres, Mongo, MS SQL Server.
• Experience in analysis tools such as MATLAB, STK/ODTK

 

Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

 MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at its many locations. As a member of the MDA team, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection for employees and their families through health care plans, disability income protection, life insurance, and other employee benefits. The Company's retirement plans encourage employees to save for their future with a Company matching contribution in many locations.​