Digital Payload Architect

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 4,000 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 www.mda.space.

Role

MDA is seeking a Digital Payload Architect to own the definition, high‑level architecture, trade‑studies and technology‑road‑mapping of digital payload subsystems across multiple satellite programs. This role is a senior technical bridge between customers, prime contractors and MDA’s multidisciplinary payload engineering teams, ensuring that the digital payload delivers the performance, reliability and cost targets per the mission objectives.

Tasks Summary

Architecture Concept & Requirements

• Establish functional, performance, environmental and security requirements with mission stakeholders & CONOPs.
• Translate requirements into clear payload performance parameters and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish with cybersecurity team payload‑specific requirements & embed resilience and security by design.
  
  

Payload Architecture Definition

• Define the overall digital payload architecture (optical/RF ISLs, antenna arrays, digitizers/ on‑board processing, Feeder links, master reference oscillator & clock synchronizations).
• Define Interface Control Documents (ICDs) with spacecraft bus, ground segment and payload‑specific subsystems.
• Define high‑speed data‑bus I/F (Serdes, SpaceWire, SpaceFibre, Ethernet, CAN, fiber).
  
  

Trade‑Study & Technology Road‑Mapping

• Lead trade‑offs for technologies, ASIC/FPGAs/SoCs, high‑speed data‑bus, and on‑board processing algorithms, PVT.
• Identify emerging technologies and incorporate them into MDA’s long‑term roadmap.
  
  

System Modeling & Performance Simulation

• Build end‑to‑end models of the signal chain (optical/RF, analog/digital) using MATLAB/Simulink, SystemView or Python‑based toolkits.
• Run Monte‑Carlo and tolerance analyses to verify gain, SNR, dynamic range, spectral efficiency, G/T, EIRP and other key metrics.
• Optimize payload design and performance with operation with traffic models/CONOPs.
  
  

Simulation & Analysis

• Oversee performance simulations & analysis (Gain, Spurious, Linearity, SNR, dynamic range, spectral efficiency, pointing, G/T, EIRP…etc.) and tolerance budgeting.
• Optimize Payload DC power budget with traffic & utilization models.
  
  

Hardware & Firmware

• Own system‑level specifications to hardware designers, review schematics, layouts, thermal & mechanical interfaces.
• Oversee MODCODs selection and on‑board processing pipelines; define BIST, timing, latency and deterministic behavior.
  
  

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

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

Integration & Verification (IVV)

• Author Payload Verification Master Plan covering unit‑test, subsystem‑test, payload‑level test, environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test campaigns.
• Define 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, software, deliverables and documentation are version controlled in PLM environment.
• Chair design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR…etc.).
• Support Technology Road‑Mapping & Innovation.
  
  

On Orbit & Operations Support

• Technical support to Mission Operations for routine payload health monitoring, contingency handling and performance trending.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for on‑orbit anomalies; update design baselines and lessons‑learned.
• Analyze on‑orbit telemetry, update filter parameters, and generate performance reports.
• Define SOOH and associated operator training.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace or Physics (M.Sc. preferred) with 10 + years of digital regenerative payload system design experience on LEO/MEO missions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital communications, SDR, DSP, DVB RCS/SX protocols, Modulation schemes, Class of Service, Networking, MPLS, 2G, 5G,
• Strong technical‑writing ability (requirements, ICDs, test procedures, risk reports) and presentation skills; comfortable interfacing with customers, suppliers and senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of aerospace system engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on individual who can support systems integration processes and capability to test systems and resolve problems.
• Experience with Confluence and JIRA.
• Demonstrated capability to efficiently work with little supervision.
• Ability to distill complex problems to fundamentals to solve with analysis, similarity, or creativity.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of French will be considered an asset (Contact with clients outside Quebec and work on deliverables in English).
  
  

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).

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. 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.

MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; 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.

MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.