As an Advanced Systems Engineer (Optical Instruments, Space) here at Honeywell Aerospace, you will have the opportunity to play a critical role in the development, integration, verification, and deployment of advanced optical payloads and instruments for space applications. You will work across multidisciplinary engineering teams to define system architectures, develop requirements, manage technical baselines, and ensure mission success throughout the full product lifecycle.
You will report directly to our Sr Engineering Manager and you'll work out of our Kanata, Ontario location hybrid.
In this role, you will contribute to next-generation spaceborne optical systems that support Earth observation, scientific exploration, space domain awareness, and advanced communications missions. You will collaborate closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and mission operations teams to deliver high-performance solutions that meet customer and mission requirements.
Responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Systems Engineering & Requirements Management
- Define, analyze, and allocate system-level requirements for optical instruments and payloads.
- Develop requirements traceability and verification strategies throughout the product lifecycle.
- Manage technical baselines and configuration control activities.
- Support system design reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR.
Optical Payload Development
- Collaborate with optical, electronics, and software teams to develop space-qualified optical instruments.
- Assess system performance budgets including optical, thermal, pointing, radiometric, and electrical performance.
- Support instrument architecture trade studies and technology evaluations.
- Contribute to optical payload integration and validation planning.
Verification, Integration & Test
- Develop verification and validation plans for complex optical systems.
- Support integration activities, environmental qualification testing, and acceptance testing.
- Analyze test results and ensure compliance with mission and customer requirements.
- Coordinate problem resolution and corrective actions during system integration and testing.
Space Mission Support
- Contribute to mission concept development and operational planning.
- Support spacecraft and payload interface definition activities.
- Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
- Participate in anomaly investigations and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with program management, customers, suppliers, and partner organizations.
- Support technical reviews and customer presentations.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering best practices.
Qualifications
YOU MUST HAVE
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in systems engineering, optical instrumentation, aerospace systems, or related system technical fields.
Willing to travel to customer sites, suppliers, or test facilities.
WE VALUE
- Experience developing and managing system requirements and verification plans.
- Knowledge of systems engineering processes and product development lifecycles.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience with space systems, spacecraft payloads, or optical instruments.
- Knowledge of imaging systems, spectrometers, laser systems, LIDAR, telescopes, or electro-optical payloads.
- Experience with requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS or equivalent.
- Familiarity with systems modeling tools such as MATLAB, STK, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or SysML.
- Knowledge of environmental qualification standards and space industry practices.
- Experience supporting design reviews, integration, verification, and validation activities.
- Familiarity with NASA, CSA, ESA, ECSS, or military aerospace standards.
- Master's degree in a related technical discipline.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
The annual base salary range for this position is $90,000 - $130,000 in Kanata, ON. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell Aerospace considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
This position is for a current vacancy.
About Honeywell Aerospace:
Join a company that's reintroducing itself to the aviation community we've helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we're launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission-focused execution.
Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world's aircraft, your work here has reach that's rare to find anywhere else.
Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we're shaping what comes next.
Every horizon. Every mission. Every day.
Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
- Minimum 5 years of experience in systems engineering, optical instrumentation, aerospace systems, or related technical fields
- Willingness to travel to customer sites, suppliers, or test facilities
- Experience developing and managing system requirements and verification plans
- Knowledge of systems engineering processes and product development lifecycles
- Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Experience with space systems, spacecraft payloads, or optical instruments
- Knowledge of imaging systems, spectrometers, laser systems, LIDAR, telescopes, or electro-optical payloads
- Experience with requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS or equivalent
- Familiarity with MATLAB, STK, Model-Based Systems Engineering, or SysML
- Knowledge of environmental qualification standards and space industry practices
- Experience supporting design reviews, integration, verification, and validation activities
- Familiarity with NASA, CSA, ESA, ECSS, or military aerospace standards
- Master's degree in a related technical discipline
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
The Aerospace Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Aerospace Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by The Aerospace Corporation.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) plan provides a company‑paid contribution of 8–12% based on years of service with immediate eligibility and vesting, and eligible employees can access retiree medical benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes 15 vacation days (rising to 20 after five years), nine paid holidays, and unlimited sick time for exempt employees with accruals for non‑exempt staff.
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Flexible Benefits — Flexible work models include a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays off, supported by backup care services, an EAP, relocation assistance, and home‑office stipends where applicable.
The Aerospace Corporation Insights
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration. Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies. Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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