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 and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts 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.

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts 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. MDA is seeking a Systems Member of Technical Staff (MTS), Spacecraft Electrical to support current and next-generation Earth observation and remote sensing satellite missions.

In this role, you will contribute to the definition, design, prototyping, integration, verification, commissioning, and sustainment of spacecraft electrical systems across multiple satellite programs. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to perform system-level trades, define and manage electrical interfaces, evaluate supplier designs, and support integration and test activities from early design through mission operations. Develop and maintain electrical requirements from the mission level down to major subsystem levels, including spacecraft bus, payload, electrical power, communications, command and data handling, and electrical interfaces.

Define, generate, and maintain requirements and performance budgets for spacecraft electrical subsystems, such as radar payload, radar antenna, communications, electrical power, telemetry and telecommand, and harnessing. Perform system-level modelling and analysis to support design trades for radar, communications, power, data handling, and mission-level electrical performance.



Support and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to converge on design architectures that meet mission, electrical, interface, EMC/EMI, and verification requirements.

Prepare and present material for technical reviews, including design reviews, interface reviews, verification reviews, and test readiness reviews. Generate technical notes, trade studies, analysis reports, and engineering documentation related to spacecraft electrical design and performance. Develop verification plans, verification matrices, test requirements, and acceptance criteria for spacecraft electrical systems and subsystems.

Develop test plans and support electrical integration and test activities from planning through production, spacecraft-level AIT, and mission commissioning. Develop and maintain interface control documents between mission segments, spacecraft subsystems, payloads, ground systems, and external suppliers. Review subcontractor and supplier design material to assess compliance with technical, interface, verification, and program requirements.

Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve technical issues while maintaining mission performance, safety, schedule, and requirement compliance. Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, or equivalent. Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience.

Experience in systems engineering, and complex systems development.

Experience with digital bus standards and electrical interfaces, such as CAN bus, I2C, SpaceWire, Ethernet, or equivalent data interfaces.

Experience specifying, integrating, and testing electrical power subsystems, power management electronics, or related spacecraft electrical hardware.

Experience specifying, integrating, and testing digital communications, command and data handling, telemetry and telecommand, or similar electrical subsystems. Familiarity with any of the following software tools: SPICE or other circuit analysis tools. MS Excel for engineering analysis.





Familiarity with modern electronic equipment manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test technologies and processes. Familiarity with lab electronics and test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, power supplies, and data acquisition equipment, including analysis and reporting of test results. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make practical engineering decisions with incomplete information.

Ability to travel for spacecraft test campaigns. Solid interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to technical teams, customers, suppliers, executives, and other stakeholders. Spacecraft electrical systems such as electrical power, command and data handling, telemetry and telecommand, communications, harnessing, grounding and bonding, or payload interfaces.

Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) of satellites, payloads, electrical subsystems, or spacecraft-level test campaigns. Spacecraft EMC/EMI analysis, testing, grounding, bonding, or electrical compatibility verification. Demonstrated competence in RF link budget analysis, communications performance analysis, or modern digital communications physical-layer modulation and coding schemes.

Knowledge of RF and/or antenna fundamentals as applicable to radar, communications, and spacecraft systems engineering.

Experience with RF systems design and key performance trade-offs, such as noise figure, linearity, interference rejection, bandwidth, gain, efficiency, and thermal or power constraints.

Experience with RF design tools such as AWR Microwave Office, Keysight ADS, CST, HFSS, or equivalent analysis and simulation tools is an asset but not required. Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) . 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. 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.

📌 Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Electrical (Richmond)
🏢 MDA Space
📍 Richmond