Staff Software Architect - Ground Control Software

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) 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 MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK 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.

We’re seeking a Staff Software Architect to join our Robotics & Space Operations team at our Brampton office and lead the design of our Ground Control Software Products.

With 40 years of operational experience, our Robotics & Space Operations team has a proven record supporting the iconic Canadarm programs, including Space Shuttle and International Space Station robotics and operations, with 100% mission success.

In this role, you will lead the design and development of modular, extensible, testable, and efficient ground control software. You will connect systems and software engineering, guide complex subsystem designs, and contribute to implementation, maintenance, and testing. Working with the department manager, you will strengthen engineering processes and practices, support commercialization, and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Architect ground control software solutions for space robotics and satellites, balancing performance, reliability, maintainability, cost, and lifecycle support.
• Develop productization roadmaps and promote software reuse and common platforms to support commercialization.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to define product scope and develop system and software requirements for current and future products, addressing cybersecurity, safety, fault tolerance, and verification, as applicable.
• Define department-wide architecture standards, engineering best practices, and software processes tailored to product criticality and commercial needs.
• Lead requirements, architecture, and design reviews, and provide technical oversight throughout implementation and integration.
• Contribute to software implementation, maintenance, and testing, and mentor junior team members.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to define interfaces and resolve technical issues.
• Assess and mitigate technical risks through feasibility studies, prototypes, and proofs of concept.
• Guide software modernization, technical debt reduction, and obsolescence management.
• Ensure designs are clearly documented and communicated.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.
  
  

Requirements

• At least 15 years of software engineering experience, including software architecture and system design for full stack software application for complex machine control.
• Proven software design experience in one or more of the aerospace, military, automotive, or medical industries.
• Experience with C#, .NET, and web technologies.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in software architecture and systems engineering across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience leading technical reviews and resolving complex design and integration issues.
• Experience evaluating architectural trade-offs and balancing competing technical requirements.
• Experience defining and implementing software engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
• Strong knowledge of the software lifecycle, including integration, verification, and configuration management.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to document designs, explain trade-offs, and build stakeholder alignment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgement, and lead complex initiatives.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related discipline.
  
  

Assets

• Experience with software infrastructure, continuous integration, cloud and hosting infrastructure, authentication and authorization, cybersecurity, encryption, and communication protocols.
• Experience with design patterns, SysML, and sequence diagrams.
• Experience with safety- or mission-critical systems and applicable engineering standards.
• Experience with software modernization, technical debt reduction, and obsolescence management.
  
  

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) and ITAR.

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #MissionMDA 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 an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

The compensation range for this position is $130,000 - $185,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.