Systems Engineering Specialist

Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 55 years.  Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise and Government users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.
 
The company’s state-of-the-art Satellite fleet consists of 12 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite.  For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com

Telesat's System Modeling team architects, develops, and maintains the Lightspeed System Model, an advanced engineering software platform that supports resource allocation modeling for Lightspeed operations and end-to-end performance evaluation of the Telesat Lightspeed satellite constellation.

As a Systems Engineering Specialist, you will help lead the technical direction of the Lightspeed System Model. You will design, implement, and validate algorithms and optimization methods, contribute to performance assessments, and guide architectural decisions that support the constellation's success. You will develop engineering software in C++, mentor engineers, and collaborate across teams to align the model with system requirements and integrate it into the overall Lightspeed system.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the design, development, and validation of algorithms and optimization methods in C++ to improve system performance and reliability while meeting system requirements.
• Translate system requirements into mathematical models, resource allocation strategies, and implementable algorithms.
• Evaluate algorithm correctness, computational efficiency, and solution quality through testing, simulation, and performance analysis.
• Oversee performance analysis of the Lightspeed constellation, including throughput, latency, satellite handover, availability, capacity, and regulatory compliance metrics.
• Collaborate with System Modeling, Software Development, Quality Assurance, and System Engineering teams to support integration and testing.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and support continuous improvement in engineering practices.
• Work with other Telesat teams on satellite payload and ground segment characteristics, performance metric definitions, performance evaluations, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead assessments of design alternatives and system architectures to inform long-term planning and guide future system improvements.
• Prepare and review clear, accurate technical documentation that explains models, algorithms, design assumptions, validation methods, and results.
• Apply Agile software development methods to plan, deliver, and refine engineering software through iterative development and team collaboration.
• Maintain code quality and reliability through unit testing, code reviews, refactoring, and consistent application of coding standards.
 

Education

• A master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related field, with relevant professional experience in system design, modeling, algorithm development, or optimization.
• A PhD in one of these fields, with research relevant to system modeling, algorithm development, or optimization.

Required knowledge and experience

• Strong working knowledge of C++, with demonstrated ability to design, implement, test, and maintain engineering software.
• Strong knowledge of algorithm design and analysis, including appropriate data structures, computational complexity, and performance trade-offs.
• Strong knowledge of mathematical optimization, including formulating objectives and constraints, selecting suitable solution approaches, and evaluating results.
• Ability to translate complex engineering problems into mathematical models and software implementations, and validate results against system requirements.
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle, Agile methodologies, and code quality practices.

Assets

• Knowledge of MATLAB for engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm prototyping.
• Knowledge of Python for analysis, automation, modeling, or testing.
• Proficiency with software development tools and workflows, including Git for version control, GitLab and GitHub for collaboration and code review, and integrated development environments (IDEs).
• Familiarity with agentic AI, including AI agents and their use in engineering, software development, or analysis workflows.
• Knowledge of radio communication systems and/or satellite communications.
• Experience applying optimization techniques, such as linear programming, mixed-integer programming, or heuristic methods, to engineering problems.
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools.

Specialized knowledge and abilities

• Creative problem-solving skills and close attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, communicate technical ideas clearly, and collaborate to solve complex engineering problems.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
• Excellent communication, technical leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to prioritize work, balance competing needs, and use resources effectively.
• Aptitude for and interest in complex technology.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.