Director - System Engineering

Posting Details

• • Posted : July 15, 2026
• Full-Time

• Locations

  Showing 1 locationMontreal 21025 Trans-Canada Highway Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X3R2, CAN Montreal 21025 Trans-Canada Highway Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X3R2, CAN

Job Details

Description

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 www.mda.space .

Role Description:

In a matrix organization, the Director, System Engineering provides strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight for the system ‑engineering group that designs, integrates, and validates the complex satellites and End-to-End systems. Partnering with the Chief Architect, Director of Engineering, program managers, and senior business leaders, the incumbent establishes system ‑engineering standards, allocates skilled resources to every program, and ensures compliance with regulations.

Leadership and Management:

• Manage all system ‑engineering staff, including planning, staffing, budgeting, and expense prioritization.
• Create and revise policies when existing guidance does not fully address new or unique situations, maintaining compliance and responsibility.
• Assess external environmental factors (regulatory changes, market trends, technology shifts) and apply independent judgment to mitigate risk and capture opportunity.
• Define and implement a long ‑term roadmap for system ‑engineering capabilities, identifying new opportunities and optimizing existing processes.
• Communicate the company’s vision, mission, and objectives to managers and contributors, ensuring alignment across the organization.

Key Competencies:

• Communication – Articulate complex technical and business concepts to both technical and non ‑technical audiences; negotiate and influence stakeholders.
• Leadership – Inspire and direct management and contributor levels on critical projects; build high ‑performing, collaborative teams.
• Analytical Thinking – Diagnose complex system issues, prioritize key problems, and develop effective, data ‑driven solutions.
• Business Intelligence – Leverage market and competitive intelligence to guide strategic decisions and risk mitigation.
• Market Awareness – Stay current on aerospace and communications trends, emerging satellite technologies, and competitor activities.
• Collaboration – Work seamlessly with cross ‑functional teams (engineering, product, business development, launch partners).
• Innovation – Drive creative problem ‑solving and the development of breakthrough satellite system architectures.

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.

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