About the Position

Mechanical Designer (Contingent)

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Company: Kepler Communications

Employment Type: Full-time Regular

Work Location Type: Hybrid

About Kepler Communications

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it! Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access for space-based assets, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date*, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. **What sets Kepler apart is our team: **bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer

Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.
Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance-including dependents.
Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.
Relocation packages available for approved roles.
$1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games, and top-notch kitchen appliances.
Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, five years in a row!

Position Status: Contingent Upon Program Award

Key Responsibilities

Subsystem Development & Ownership

Lead the development of spacecraft mechanical subsystems from concept through flight qualification and successful transition into production.
Own subsystem-level mechanical development activities including mechanical design, structural analysis, thermal analysis, integration, verification, testing, and qualification.
Drive technical trade studies and design decisions using first-principles engineering, simulation, testing, and sound engineering judgment.
Balance subsystem performance, mass, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost objectives throughout development.
Demonstrate compliance with subsystem requirements through analysis, testing, and documented margins of safety.

Analysis, Verification & Risk Reduction

Develop and maintain structural and thermal models used to predict hardware performance and guide design decisions.
Define verification strategies and success criteria aligned with system requirements and mission objectives.
Plan and execute prototype builds, environmental testing, and qualification campaigns to reduce technical risk and validate design performance.
Correlate simulation results with physical testing to continuously improve model fidelity and engineering confidence.
Lead root-cause investigations and drive complex technical issues through to resolution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with systems, RF, electrical, software, manufacturing, supply chain, AIT, and mission operations teams to develop integrated spacecraft solutions.
Facilitate technical discussions across disciplines, clearly communicating design intent, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations.
Coordinate subsystem activities across stakeholders to ensure successful integration, verification, and delivery.

Engineering Excellence

Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes, design methodologies, analysis approaches, and verification practices.
Act as a peer reviewer, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership within project teams.
Promote a culture of technical rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent.
4+ years of experience developing mechanical systems from concept through validation.
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, heat transfer, dynamics, mechanical design, and hardware integration.
Experience performing structural and thermal analyses supported by simulation and physical testing.
Experience with one or more CAD platforms such as Onshape, Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent.
Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices.
Understanding of design for manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test principles.
Strong communication and documentation skills working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Comfortable operating in a hands-on development environment involving prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware development.

Bonus Points

Experience developing spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, or other mission-critical hardware.
Experience with Simcenter 3D, Simcenter/NX NASTRAN, Simcenter Space Systems Thermal, or equivalent analysis tools.
Experience leading subsystem-level qualification and verification activities.
Familiarity with ESA ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace structural, thermal, and design standards.
Experience supporting hardware transition from development into production.
Eligibility for Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensure in a Canadian jurisdiction.

Salary Range

$100,622 - 150,622 CAD

Actual total compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion and is based on a variety of job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, performance, and education and/or training. The Company encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations, as it does not reflect our total compensation package.

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.

Mechanical Designer (Contingent)

Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements