User Terminal System Specialist

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User Terminal System 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 is seeking an experienced User Terminal System Specialist to join our User Terminal Engineering team. This role is responsible for defining, developing, and validating the technical architecture and operational performance of Telesat Lightspeed User Terminals.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority on end-to-end terminal functionality, working across modem, antenna, RF, networking, software, manufacturing, and system architecture disciplines. The role requires strong systems engineering expertise, a deep understanding of satellite communications, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both internal teams and external partners.

This position plays a key role in ensuring that User Terminal solutions meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and deployment objectives throughout the product lifecycle.

Resource is expected to work onsite at Telesat's Ottawa location a minimum of 4 days per week.

Main Responsibilities

User Terminal Systems Engineering

• Define and maintain system-level requirements, architectures, and performance budgets for User Terminal products.
• Develop and maintain technical specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and system design documentation.
• Establish requirements flow-down from network and service-level requirements into modem, antenna, RF, mechanical, and software subsystems.
• Support system trade studies and performance analyses involving G/T, EIRP, beamforming, acquisition, tracking, Doppler compensation, and link performance.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a primary technical resource for User Terminal architecture and operational concepts.
• Provide technical guidance to cross-functional engineering teams.
• Support design reviews, risk assessments, architecture reviews, and technical decision-making.
• Identify technical gaps and develop mitigation strategies.

Vendor and Partner Management

• Interface with modem, antenna, RF, FPGA, and software vendors to ensure alignment with product requirements.
• Review supplier designs, specifications, and test results.
• Support technical evaluations of prospective partners and technologies.
• Coordinate technical issue resolution with contract manufacturers and development partners.

Integration and Validation

• Support subsystem and system integration activities.
• Define verification and validation strategies.
• Participate in laboratory testing, field trials, network integration activities, and customer demonstrations.
• Analyze performance data and develop recommendations for product improvements.

Operational Readiness

• Support manufacturing readiness, commissioning processes, and deployment planning.
• Assist with development of operational procedures and support documentation.
• Contribute to long-term product evolution and lifecycle planning.
• Support reliability, maintainability, and obsolescence management initiatives.

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex communications, networking, aerospace, or satellite systems.
• Strong systems engineering background with experience defining and managing system requirements.
• Experience with satellite communications systems, modems, RF communications, wireless networks, or related telecommunications technologies.
• Experience developing technical documentation including requirements, specifications, test plans, and ICDs.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead technical discussions across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred

• Experience with LEO satellite communications systems.
• Knowledge of electronically steered antennas (ESA) and phased-array technologies.
• Experience with satellite modem architectures and waveform development.
• Understanding of FPGA-based communications systems.
• Familiarity with IP networking, routing, QoS, and network management concepts.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and external development partners.
• Knowledge of verification, validation, and qualification processes for telecommunications products.
• Experience supporting aero, maritime, government, or enterprise SATCOM applications.
• Experience supporting manufacturing test and commissioning processes for embedded electronics products.
• Understanding of firmware loading, secure boot, software provisioning, hardware configuration management, and product traceability.
• Familiarity with production programming, calibration, and verification workflows.
• Knowledge of secure manufacturing practices, device identity management, certificates, and hardware security features.
• Knowledge of thermal management techniques for high-density electronic systems.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC design principles and compliance methodologies.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in several of the following areas:

• LEO and GEO satellite communications
• User terminal architectures
• Electronically steered antennas
• RF systems and link budgets
• Satellite modem technologies
• Beamforming and tracking systems
• Network acquisition and synchronization
• Doppler compensation techniques
• FPGAs and embedded systems
• SFP, SFP+, QSFP and optical interconnect technologies.
• High-speed digital circuit design principles.
• Hardware troubleshooting and laboratory debug techniques.
• Systems integration and verification
• Manufacturing and deployment readiness
• Reliability and lifecycle management

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical concepts
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and reliability
• Proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous learning

Leadership

• No direct reports.
• Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Leads supplier interactions, technical reviews, and development activities involving external partners and contractors.
• May supervise supplier activities and technical work packages associated with antenna development and validation.
• Makes independent engineering decisions within the scope of assigned projects and responsibilities.
• Establishes technical priorities and guides project teams in achieving program objectives.

Working Conditions

• Resource is required to be in office four (4) days weekly.
• Approximately 90% of the time spent in a professional office or laboratory environment.
• Approximately 10% of the time spent in manufacturing, integration, testing, or outdoor field environments.
• Support of projects across multiple time zones may occasionally require schedule flexibility.
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.
• Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain all required travel documentation and authorizations.

For Ottawa based position: the successful candidate must be able to work in Canada and obtain clearance under the Canadian Controlled Goods program (CGP) and Canadian Reliability clearance.”

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At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace. We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process. All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential. Apply Now Commitment: Full Time Hire - (FTE with Benefits)Department: Lightspeed System Development - Landing Stations and User TerminalsLocation: Ottawa, Canada or Bethesda, USTeam: User Terminal Segment Apply Now