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

Job description

📍 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada 📄 Employment Type: Contract-to-Permanent (Preferred) / Contract 🏢 Work Arrangement: Remote Opportunity for US and Canadian citizens. Relocation allowance + bonus for European and UK Candidates. 🚀 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.