Director, Product Development

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space 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 aAs our Senior Flight Software Engineer/MTS, you will be instrumental in using your skill and experience as part of a team to design, implement, maintain, and test safety critical, real-time flight software solutions that are modular, extendable, testable, and efficient. You will lead difficult and complicated subsystem designs and implementations helping to grow the skills of more junior teammates through mentoring and coaching.nd infrastructure. The MDA Space team of more than 3,400 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. For more information, visit www.mda.space. 

The role:

The Director of Product Development focuses on managing the product development office, creating policies and strategies aligned with the enterprise, and overseeing operations aligned with company goals approved by the Chief Architect. Responsibilities include hiring, training, and supervising Product Development Managers, ensuring efficient integration of products into larger programs, and collaborating with the Chief Architect to enhance product competitiveness. 

Accountabilities:

• Product execution cost, performance, quality, schedule and delivery to the programs on time.
• Profitability and revenue of all products in relation to the programs they support.
• Accountable for supporting the product lifecycle and identifying new opportunities with New Business, coordinating work and resource assignments with the Director of Programs to ensure organizational success, and managing risks efficiently.

Tasks:

1. Ensures products meet cost, schedule, and specifications set by the Product Manager (Office of the Chief Architect).
2. Offers insights to the Chief Architect on improving product competitiveness by reducing costs, schedules, and managing strategic inventory.
3. Provide inputs for monthly reviews, including updated schedules, financials, technical status, and risk status for all products.
4. Responsible for measuring forecast costs for each program, including Revenue Recognition, with both up and downside projections. Also responsible for providing monthly operational planning inputs for all products, including manpower and facility forecasts.
5. Ensure internal or external customer satisfaction for delivered products.
6. Maintain the framework and philosophy for executing Product Development.
7. Establishes goals, career development plans and conducts annual performance evaluations for direct reports.
8. Participates in monthly divisional financial reviews
9. Guides Product Development Managers in learning and development and assists with execution challenges.
10. Approves bids in which products are used for new programs
11. Works with the Program Management Office in maintaining and enforcing program/product development execution management standards.
12. Works with the Program Management Office in ensuring program/product development manager tools and standards are up to date.
13. Supports company's transformation efforts.

Key Behaviours:

Accountable: Take ownership of outcomes, tackle problems head-on, and drive solutions forward. Demonstrate resilience under pressure, deliver on commitments, and hold others accountable for their actions.

Empower: Set clear expectations, provide relevant training and resources, and foster an open and trusting environment. Encourage open communication, solicit feedback, and create opportunities for growth and development.

Realistic: Develop accurate forecasts, monitor early warning signs of delays, and take corrective action. Set ambitious yet realistic goals, collaborate with team members, and ensure that everyone understands their budget, schedule, and responsibilities.

Proactive: Develop and refine forecasts and plans, anticipate potential challenges, and proactively address them. Conduct regular risk identification exercises, build and nurture networks and leverage connections to drive progress.

Strategic: Investigate and understand the broader customer and company objectives, analyze and anticipate future trends, and develop strategies to address emerging challenges and opportunities. Make strategic trade-offs, develop and present plausible future scenarios, and craft innovative and effective strategies that link vision to action.

Additional Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in relevant technical and business fields, relevant experience specifically in Product Development a strong asset

• Minimum bachelor’s degree - engineering or equivalent technical education considered an asset
• Proven experience or certification in Program/Project Management

• Strategic thinker and adaptable to change.
• Solid business knowledge and process development capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, risk management and negotiation skills required to deal with all levels of management in the organization.
• Team player, effective at conflict resolution and demonstrates a high level of integrity.
• Good knowledge of relevant technologies, products and services.
• Strongly results oriented.
• Strives to maximize program satisfaction (for which its products are used).

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). Upgrade to Secret status level is also expected.

 

Benefits Statement: 

MDA Space offers competitive compensation and benefits to its employees at all of its locations. As a member of the MDA Space team, you and your eligible dependents can enroll in a benefits plan that provides a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care, including: health care plans supplemental and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans and an employee assistance program and to their family. 

Equal Opportunity Statement: 

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and candidates with respect and dignity. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruitment process, please let us know. 

The compensation range for this position is $150,000 - $190,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.