Satellite Systems Design & Analysis Lead

About the Position

Satellite Systems Design & Analysis Lead

Toronto, Ontario

Engineering – Systems /

Full-time Regular /

On-site

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!

Responsibilities

Satellite Systems Designer

• Define system architectures and lead spacecraft-level engineering efforts
• Develop and manage requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies
• Conduct advanced trade studies, risk assessments, and performance analyses
• Lead integration and test campaigns, ensuring architecture and budgets close at system level
• Working with IPT leads, own and manage system-level budgets across disciplines, including:
  • Mass properties and margins
  • Power generation, storage, and consumption
  • RF link budgets, including payload and feeder links
  • Propellant budget, based on ΔV inputs from Mission Analysis & Design
  • Reliability, availability, and FDIR approach
• Collaborate with subsystem leads to ensure architectural consistency and technical closure
• Act as a technical interface to program managers, product assurance, and external stakeholders
• Provide mentorship and oversight to junior and intermediate engineers
• Leverage AI-enabled tools, agents, and automation to improve SEA workflows, including spacecraft budget consistency checks, trade study support, documentation generation, assumptions tracking, review preparation, and knowledge management, while ensuring appropriate validation, traceability, and human review of outputs

Functional Lead - Spacecraft Engineering and Analysis

• Define and maintain standards, processes, and templates for spacecraft architecture and budget management
• Review and approve SEA deliverables across programs, ensuring accuracy, rigor, and consistency
• Build and maintain a knowledge base of tools, models, and lessons learned for system budgets and architecture trades
• Mentor engineers in technical budget ownership and spacecraft-level integration practices
• Ensure SEA practices are aligned with Kepler Engineering Design Standards (KEDS)
• Support cross-project consistency in architecture analyses and technical documentation
• Help define the long-term structure, capability needs, and growth path of the SEA team
• Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, and development of SEA team members as the function expands

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering with a strong focus on system architecture, technical budgets, and cross-disciplinary design trades
• Proven expertise in conducting system-level trade studies and managing spacecraft budgets including mass, power, link, propellant, reliability/availability
• Familiarity with mission analysis outputs, including ΔV budgets, coverage, orbital constraints, and how they drive spacecraft architecture
• Experience developing and applying FDIR, FMECA, and reliability strategies at spacecraft or system level
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring skills, with interest in growing a functional team and developing engineering talent
• Ability to define repeatable processes, improve technical standards, and drive consistency across programs
• Experience using AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, or agent-based systems to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, analysis workflows, or knowledge management
• Ability to identify high-value opportunities for automation or AI assistance within systems engineering workflows and translate them into practical, maintainable solutions
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities
• 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

Key Attributes

• Problem-Solving: Expert in spacecraft-level architecture, budget closure, and multidisciplinary design challenges
• Leadership: Leads program-level design efforts while building SEA discipline standards, mentoring engineers, and supporting future team growth
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of system budgets, spacecraft architecture, reliability, FDIR, and system integration
• Communication: Effective across technical teams, program leadership, product assurance, and external stakeholders
• Strategic Impact: Ensures spacecraft architectures are robust, scalable, technically balanced, and aligned with program and mission objectives

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!

Salary Range

$130,000 - 180,000 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.