Program Chief Engineer (Toronto)

Program Chief Engineer (Toronto)

19 Aug
|
Socket.dev
|
Toronto

19 Aug

Socket.dev

Toronto

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With

33 satellites launched to date,

Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

Industry-leading technology is only part of the story.

What sets Kepler apart is our team:

bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries ofwhat’spossible in space. We believe excellent ideas come from diverse perspectives, andwe’recommitted to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

Ifyou’reready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad.

Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer

Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.

Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance — including dependents.

Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.

Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.

Relocation packages available for approved roles.

$1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.

Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.

Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.

We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, five years in a row!

As the

Program Chief Engineer , you are the senior technical authority for the spacecraft program and the single point of technical accountability for mission success. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Satellite Systems, you provide technical leadership across all engineering disciplines to ensure the spacecraft is designed, built, verified, and operated as an integrated system. You establish the technical direction, drive engineering execution, make timely decisions, conduct rigorous technical reviews, and communicate effectively with engineering teams, executive leadership,



customers, and suppliers.

The Chief Engineer is accountable for the overall technical success of the mission. You are responsible for maintaining technical integrity, driving engineering progress, ensuring design maturity, balancing performance, reliability, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and mission risk, and delivering flight-ready spacecraft that enable successful mission execution.

Key Responsibilities

Please note: Though this role provides a Hybrid flexibility, it will require an on-site work presence at Kepler's Toronto HQ

Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership across Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, RF, GNC, Payload, AIT, Manufacturing, Operations, and Product Assurance

Technical Leadership: Drive engineering convergence toward a technically coherent spacecraft

Technical Leadership: Ensure engineering activities remain aligned with mission objectives

Engineering Execution: Drive engineering progress and maintain technical momentum

Engineering Execution: Identify and remove technical roadblocks

Engineering Execution: Ensure timely technical decision-making and accountability across engineering disciplines

Design Reviews & Technical Oversight: Lead rigorous technical reviews across all spacecraft subsystems

Design Reviews & Technical Oversight: Challenge assumptions, analyses, margins, interfaces, and verification evidence

Design Reviews & Technical Oversight: Lead design reviews, anomaly reviews, and readiness reviews

Decision Making: Make timely, evidence-based technical decisions

Decision Making: Balance performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, reliability, and mission risk

Decision Making: Remove technical barriers or blockers to maintain engineering momentum

Communication & Alignment: Communicate technical direction clearly and consistently across the engineering organization

Communication & Alignment:



Translate complex technical issues into concise recommendations for executive leadership

Communication & Alignment: Represent Engineering during customer reviews, supplier meetings, executive briefings, and governance boards

Communication & Alignment: Ensure decisions, assumptions, risks, and actions are clearly documented and communicated

Communication & Alignment: Build alignment across Engineering, Program Management, Product Assurance, Manufacturing, Operations, and executive leadership

Engineering Excellence: Mentor senior engineers and future technical leaders

Engineering Excellence: Continuously raise the standard of technical rigor, engineering reviews, and engineering excellence

Engineering Excellence: Drive continuous improvement, platform standardization, and lessons learned

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline

15+ years of experience developing complex spacecraft or aerospace systems

Experience serving as the technical authority or senior technical leader for at least one spacecraft development program

Extensive knowledge of spacecraft architecture, integration, verification, manufacturing, qualification, launch, and mission operations

Exceptional technical judgment, communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

Bonus Points

Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, or equivalent technical leadership experience

Constellation or multi-spacecraft program experience

Experience across multiple spacecraft disciplines

Mission assurance, Integration and test campaign, launch campaign, and on-orbit operations experience

Experience driving engineering standardization and AI-enabled engineering workflows

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

📌 Program Chief Engineer (Toronto)
🏢 Socket.dev
📍 Toronto

Reply to this offer

Impress this employer describing Your skills and abilities, fill out the form below and leave Your personal touch in the presentation letter.

Subscribe to this job alert:

Get the latest job offers by email for: program chief engineer (toronto) / toronto

Subscribe to this job alert:

Get the latest job offers by email for: program chief engineer (toronto) / toronto