About Mda Space

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. 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

This is a role suited for an ambitious skilled wanting to solve complex problems and develop novel concepts that contribute to the betterment of our world. You will contribute to our world leading Synthetic Aperture Radar missions that generate high value imagery and real‑time actionable intelligence for our customers.

The Role

MDA is seeking a SAR Payload System Engineer to support our current and next‑generation earth observation and remote sensing satellites. The SAR System Engineer will own the definition, design, integration, verification and sustainment of SAR payload subsystems across multiple satellite programs and will influence system‑level tradeoffs, drive technology road‑maps. The incumbent will act as the primary technical interface with customers, prime contractors and internal multidisciplinary teams to cover the full program life cycle.





Responsibilities

Architecture Concept & Requirements

- Gather functional, performance, pointing, environmental and security requirements from mission stakeholders & CONOPs.
- Capture, trace and map payload requirements from mission level to subsystem level.
- Coordinate with cybersecurity team for payload‑specific assessments.
- Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the program life cycle.

Payload Architecture & Design

- Design the SAR system architecture (antenna arrays & RF front‑end Tx/Rx components, digital beamforming, processing chain and digital electronics, power, thermal, and mass).
- Lead the conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases, producing trade studies, performance budgets.
- Produce Interface Control Documents (ICDs) with other subsystems and ground segment.
- Provide system‑level specifications to hardware designers, review schematics, layouts, thermal interfaces, and mechanical constraints.

Simulation & Analysis

- Perform performance simulations for tolerance budgeting and image quality.
- Support algorithm and analytical development to process SAR and Moving Target Indicator (MTI).
- Define and maintain Payload DC power budget with utilization models.
- Perform FMECA, Fault tree and FDIR,



reliability modeling and availability to meet mission objectives.

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

- Communicate technical status, risk assessments and trade‑study results to senior management and/or customers or partners.
- Support payload design authority in System design reviews, Power/Structure/Thermal interfaces and Mission Operations assessments.
- Liaise with Electrical, Power, Structures, Thermal, Software, Ground‑Segment and Mission‑Operations teams to resolve integration issues early.
- Support B&P; (Phase 0 & pre‑phase A).

Integration & Verification (IVV)

- Develop Payload Verification Master Plan covering unit‑test, subsystem‑test, payload‑level test, environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test campaigns.
- Lead test‑automation framework set‑up, test‑case definition, results analysis and test‑report certification.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

- Mentor, guide junior engineers and interns.
- Act as technical liaison with customers, partners and external vendors.
- Act as Continuous Improvement stakeholder.
- Contribute to MDA’s knowledge‑base, process enhancements, and standards development.

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

- Ensure all artefacts, analysis, firmware, deliverables and documentation are version controlled in PLM environment.
- Lead and Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR…etc.).
- Support Technology Road‑Mapping & Innovation.

On Orbit & Operations Support

- Provide technical support to Mission Operations for routine payload health monitoring, contingen

📌 Systems Engineer, Synthetic Aperture Radar (Richmond)
🏢 MDA Space
📍 Richmond