Senior FDIR-FSW Systems Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior FDIR-FSW Systems Engineer based in Canada.

As a Senior FDIR-FSW Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the reliability and resilience of advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite missions. You will lead the analysis and development of Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies to ensure robust spacecraft operations in mission-critical environments. Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will assess satellite systems and subsystems, identify potential failure scenarios, and develop effective fault management solutions. Your expertise will support the verification, validation, and testing of flight software designed to detect and manage anomalies. This role offers the opportunity to influence mission assurance, strengthen system reliability, and contribute to the success of sophisticated aerospace programs. The position is based in Montreal, with hybrid or remote arrangements considered for exceptional candidates willing to work on-site at least one week per month.

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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation: Salary to be determined based…