Satellite C&DH System Engineer | Remote Opportunity | Fastwater Staffing

📍 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
📄 Employment Type: Contract-to-Permanent (Preferred) / Contract
🏢 Work Arrangement: TBD
🚀 Start Date: Immediate
💰 Compensation: TBD -- based on skills and experience

Important Screening Requirements

• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Must be capable of obtaining the required security clearance.
• English proficiency is required. French is considered an asset.
• Strong hands-on experience with spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems is required.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Satellite Command & Data-Handling (C&DH) System Engineer to support the design, integration, verification, and operation of onboard command, control, and data-management functions for current and next-generation remote sensing and communications satellite programs.

In this role, you will contribute to the C&DH functional architecture, drive technical trade studies, support system integration and verification, and provide technical leadership throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate mission-level requirements into C&DH functional and non-functional requirements.
• Develop and maintain system requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and system descriptions.
• Maintain bidirectional requirements traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support cybersecurity and resilience considerations within C&DH system design.
• Lead detailed design activities involving:
  • Onboard processors
  • Spacecraft data buses
  • Memory subsystems
  • I/O interfaces
• Support software architecture activities, including command sequencing, telemetry packetization, health monitoring, and FDIR.
• Support Satellite Reference Database development and validation.
• Define uplink command formats, downlink telemetry structures, and ground-segment data-handling interfaces.
• Collaborate with Flight Software (FSW), TT&C/PDT, and Ground Segment teams to ensure end-to-end data integrity.
• Develop verification plans, test matrices, and validation procedures for unit, subsystem, and spacecraft-level C&DH testing.
• Execute functional testing, bus-protocol compliance testing, and SIL/HIL campaigns.
• Lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action activities.
• Support spacecraft launch preparation, early-orbit checkout, and on-orbit operations.
• Analyze on-orbit telemetry and support updates to operational parameters as required.
• Support SOOH development and operator training.
• Contribute to technical standards, process improvements, technology roadmaps, and engineering knowledge bases.
• Support major design reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, and TRR.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical liaison with customers, partners, and vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of C&DH engineering experience on LEO, MEO, and/or GEO satellite platforms.
• Deep knowledge of spacecraft data-bus and communication standards, including:
  • SpaceWire
  • MIL-STD-1553
  • CAN
  • Ethernet
  • CCSDS packet telemetry and command
  • PUS services
• Knowledge of processors, FPGA, firmware, and embedded systems.
• Strong understanding of aerospace systems engineering fundamentals, space environment, and orbit mechanics.
• Hands-on experience supporting systems integration, testing, troubleshooting, and problem resolution.
• Experience with Confluence and JIRA.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex technical problems into fundamental components.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting end-to-end spacecraft C&DH development and integration.
• Experience with spacecraft commissioning, early-orbit operations, and on-orbit telemetry analysis.
• Experience with FDIR, command sequencing, telemetry processing, and spacecraft health monitoring.
• Experience with SIL/HIL testing and spacecraft bus-protocol compliance verification.
• French language proficiency.
• Experience supporting satellite programs through the full lifecycle, from early concept and design through launch and on-orbit operations.