Space Systems Engineer

Job description

Space Systems Engineer Work Location: Waterloo, ON About Canadian Strategic Missions Corp. (CSMC) Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation is building the capabilities that will shape Canada's future in space, defence, and energy. We focus on developing dual use systems that address critical challenges here on Earth while enabling sustained human activity beyond it. In a short time, CSMC has established real momentum. WE have secured significant government investment to advance next generation micro nuclear reactors in partnership with leading institutions, alongside expanding a portfolio of technologies designed for remote environments, national defence, and future space missions. These efforts reflect a broader ambition to deliver reliable power and critical infrastructure where it matters most. Our work is grounded in close collaboration with government and guided by a clear sense of purpose: to build sovereign capability at a time when it has never been more important. We care deeply about execution, long term impact and earning the trust required to deliver systems that will service Canada and its allies for decades. CSMC is a company for builders. We are a group of people drawn to hard problems, meaningful impact and the opportunity to shape systems that matter at a national and global scale. We are building a team that thrives in ambiguity, values execution, and is motivated by mission and impact. About the Role CSMC is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to lead the design, integration, and delivery of space based systems and mission architectures. This role is focused specifically on space systems development, including spacecraft, payloads, ground segment integration, and mission design, rather than traditional aerospace or aviation platforms. You will work at the intersection of systems engineering, orbital mechanics, and mission execution, partnering with interdisciplinary teams to design and deliver systems that operate in space environments and other mission critical conditions. This role is best suited for engineers who have hands on experience designing or integrating space systems and who are motivated to apply that expertise to programs tied to national security, space infrastructure, and advanced technology development. Responsibilities Lead systems engineering activities for space-based systems across the full lifecycle (concept → mission definition → design → integration → validation → deployment) Define and manage mission-level and system-level requirements, ensuring traceability from orbital/mission objectives to subsystem design Design and evaluate space system architectures, including: spacecraft / satellites, payload integration, ground segment and communications interfaces Conduct trade studies and mission analyses, including: orbit selection, mass/power budgets, payload performance trade-offs Coordinate integration across spacecraft subsystems: avionics (space-rated), ADCS / GNC, power / thermal communications Support space mission design and planning, including system-of-systems considerations (space + ground + data layers) Lead or support verification and validation planning for space systems, including environmental and operational constraints Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (including government, space agencies, and contractors) on program execution Support development of technical proposals and mission concepts for space, defence, and national security applications Identify and manage risks specific to space systems, including reliability, redundancy, and mission failure modes Qualifications Must Have Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or similar) An absolute minimum of 2-5+ years of experience working on space systems (NOT aircraft / traditional aerospace) Demonstrated experience with one or more: spacecraft or satellite design/integration mission systems engineering for space programs payload integration or space hardware development Experience translating mission requirements into system architecture for space-based applications Familiarity with space-specific engineering constraints, such as: vacuum / thermal / radiation environments mass, power, and bandwidth limitations Experience working on complex, multi-disciplinary space systems Strong systems thinking, analytical capability, and ability to communicate technical concepts clearly Preferred Experience with: Satellite systems (LEO/MEO/GEO) Smallsat / CubeSat platforms Space payloads (sensing, communications, ISR, etc.) Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) (Cameo, SysML) Space mission analysis tools (e.g., STK, GMAT) Background in: GNC / ADCS orbital mechanics / astrodynamics RF communications / space links spacecraft thermal or power systems Experience working with: Space agencies (CSA, NASA, ESA) Defence or national security space programs Familiarity with: Space qualification / flight heritage Reliability and redundancy design for space systems Please note that candidates whose experience is primarily in aircraft systems, avionics, automotive, or industrial systems without direct space system experience will not be considered. Why Join CSMC CSMC is building technologies that will shape Canada’s future in energy, space, and national security. You’ll join a team of engineers, scientists, and mission‑driven builders who care deeply about solving hard problems that matter. We move quickly, support each other, and take pride in doing work that has real impact. Along the way, you’ll have access to competitive compensation, benefits, and equity, and the chance to grow with a company that values ownership, curiosity, and technical excellence. Employment Eligibility CSMC works with highly sensitive nuclear, defence, and aerospace technologies, and all roles require eligibility for federal security screening and compliance with controlled goods and export regulations. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, able to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, and eligible to meet foreign affiliation and export control requirements. These conditions are mandatory Bona Fide Occupational Requirements and reflect the need to securely develop and protect nationally significant capabilities.