Engineering Student, Systems Engineering Space Missions - Fall 2026

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.

The MDA Space team of more than 4 000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.

Are you ready to launch the next stage of your career in the new space economy? We would love to hear from you!

Details:

We’re on the hunt for a Systems Engineering Co-op – Space Missions in our Satellite Systems Engineering Team at our Richmond office. This is an 8-months role, starting September 2026. 

As a member of the Engineering team you will support our current and next‑generation earth observation satellites missions. We build on the strong heritage of the RADARSAT program and bring forward innovative new technologies and operation concepts.  You will work as part of a world-leading team to develop new capabilities and deliver cutting edge solutions to our customers. 

Overall the successful candidate would be treated similar to a new graduate joining our company, where tasks will be assigned relative to the level of schooling and experience achieved to date. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 
 

As a Systems Engineering Co-op – Space Missions, you may have a wide range of responsibilities that may include: 

• Working with stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements; 

• Transforming high level requirements into lower level system and sub-system requirements; 

• Supporting work planning, cost estimates and proposal writing; 

• Performing technical engineering tasks, such as operational analyses and trade-off studies, to define system design and subsystem details; 

• Developing and maintaining various system budgets (uplink, downlink, power, etc); and 

• Developing and maintaining various system models in Excel, Matlab, Python, SysML etc. 

• Developing operations procedures, scripts, tools and other products for on-orbit commissioning and routine operations of the mission; 

• Conducting spacecraft and mission operations validation testing, as well as mission control exercise and rehearsal activities; 

REQUIREMENTS 
 

• Have familiarity with the following software tools: 

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  • MS Excel, for the purposes of engineering analyses 
  
  
  
  

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  • MS Office 
  
  
  
  

• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills 

• Be a self-starter with the ability to perform in a dynamic working environment 

• Possess excellent problem solving skills 

• Have a team-friendly attitude and willingness to learn 

 
While not mandatory, candidates will benefit from any of the following: 
 

• Experience in scripting and/or programming 

• Familiarity with mission modelling tools such as AGI’s Systems Tool Kit (STK), MATLAB, etc 

• Familiarity with Requirements Management tools such as DOORS, Windchill, etc. 

• Familiarity with satellite remote sensing or earth observation; or 

• Familiarity with orbital mechanics, satellite communications, spacecraft design and operation considerations. 

Experience: 

Interested candidates should be working towards a Bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or other relevant disciplines. Students must be currently enrolled in their studies to be considered.  

Comments/Special Considerations: 

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR. 

MDA Space Ltd is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us. 

The salary range for this position is 25 - 29 $ / hourly.