Senior FDIR-FSW Systems Engineer

Accountabilities

• Design, develop, and analyze Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies for satellite platforms and their subsystems.
• Perform comprehensive systems engineering analyses to assess spacecraft architecture, subsystem interactions, and overall system reliability.
• Conduct failure analysis using Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) methodologies.
• Evaluate failure propagation across system and subsystem levels, identifying potential impacts on spacecraft functionality and mission performance.
• Trace system-level failure scenarios down to unit-level components to determine root causes, assess criticality, and define appropriate fault management strategies.
• Support the design, development, verification, validation, and testing of satellite flight software (FSW), with a focus on FDIR functionality.
• Plan and execute hardware and software testing activities to verify fault detection, isolation, recovery, and monitoring capabilities.
• Collaborate with systems, software, hardware, and mission assurance teams to ensure technical alignment and operational reliability.
• Contribute to system integration, qualification, testing, and operational readiness activities throughout the satellite development lifecycle.
• Apply relevant aerospace standards, engineering methodologies, and industry best practices to FDIR design and verification.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline. An advanced degree may be considered in lieu of some professional experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably in aerospace, satellite systems, flight software, or other mission-critical engineering environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and/or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite programs.
• Strong systems engineering expertise, including the analysis of complex satellite platforms, subsystems, and their interactions.
• Practical knowledge of FMECA and/or Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) techniques for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating system failures.
• Solid understanding of failure propagation, fault dependencies, and the impact of component-level failures on overall system performance.
• Ability to decompose system-level failure scenarios into unit-level causes and assess their implications for spacecraft safety, reliability, and mission success.
• Knowledge of satellite flight software architectures, FDIR principles, fault monitoring, and recovery mechanisms.
• Experience testing hardware and software components to verify FDIR functionality and system behavior under fault conditions.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, combined with attention to detail and a structured engineering approach.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Eligibility to obtain or current possession of Controlled Goods Program (CGP) clearance.
• Willingness to travel to Montreal and work on-site for at least one week per month if working remotely or in a hybrid arrangement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the ECSS-E-ST-70-41C standard.
• Familiarity with Packet Utilization Standard (PUS)-based FDIR verification, validation, and testing.
• Previous involvement in satellite flight software development, system verification, or mission assurance activities.
• Knowledge of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) and European Space Agency (ESA) standards, as well as established aerospace systems engineering practices.