Senior Mission Design Authority

Location: Montreal area

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Role Overview

The Senior Mission Design Authority serves as the primary technical authority for a program within a defined domain of expertise (satellite, payload, or platform). This role is critical to the successful execution of large, complex space programs and carries significant responsibility for technical decision-making from program initiation through on-orbit acceptance.

The position requires strong technical leadership, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to balance program objectives related to performance, cost, schedule, and risk.

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Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and control all technical activities to meet contractual obligations, budget targets, and schedule commitments

• Act as the primary technical interface and representative to the customer

• Collaborate closely with systems management and program leadership to ensure alignment across technical and programmatic objectives

• Lead system trade studies and investigations into technical issues and anomalies

• Maintain accountability for technical decisions throughout the full program lifecycle, from kickoff through in-orbit acceptance

• Provide technical leadership and direction to ensure execution in accordance with contract terms, Statements of Work, budgets, schedules, and technical requirements

• Continuously assess program technical status and resolve unplanned issues through corrective actions, escalation, or resource adjustments as required

• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards

• Ensure program requirements, objectives, and expectations are clearly communicated and flowed down to internal teams and subcontractors

• Develop and maintain the program technical baseline, including scope definition, budgets, and schedules, in coordination with program management

• Lead the development of follow-on activities, new pursuits, execution strategies, and executable project plans

• Contribute to proposal development and technical inputs for new business opportunities

• Support contract and subcontract management activities, including oversight of subcontractor technical performance

• In coordination with the program manager, direct the work of technical leads and supporting staff assigned to program execution

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, supporting professional development and career growth of team members

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and motivated team environment

• Resolve conflicts, competing priorities, and technical challenges across assigned programs

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments and disciplines

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Systems Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary systems engineering teams, including RF, digital, electrical, EMC, mechanical, thermal, assembly, integration, verification, and test functions

• Lead and review key engineering documentation, including:

  • System requirements

  • Concepts of operations

  • Verification and validation matrices

  • Design descriptions

  • System budgets

  • Equipment specifications

  • Test requirements

  • Requests for deviation or waiver

• Chair and lead major design reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, and equivalent)

• Lead integration, verification, and validation activities

• Participate in and lead test readiness and review boards

• Support and lead test campaigns, including In-Orbit Testing (IOT)

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Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline

• 15+ years of experience in systems management or senior systems engineering roles within complex technical programs

• Experience with satellite systems; experience with satellite constellations is an asset

• Experience with negotiations, risk management, contract and subcontract management, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance (including ITAR)

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and people management skills

• Excellent organizational and decision-making abilities

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Language Requirements

• Fluency in French is required

• Working knowledge of English is an asset for interaction with customers and partners outside Québec

We appreciate the time and effort all applicants invest in their submissions. Please note that only candidates shortlisted for this role will be contacted directly. However, your profile will remain under consideration for future opportunities that align with your experience and career goals. All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities including those who identify as women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require an accommodation, please review our accessibility policy and reach out to our accessibility officer with any questions. Our human recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. On occasion, we also use AI-assisted tools to help review applications.