Digital Payload Architect | Onsite Opportunity | Fastwater Staffing

📍 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
📄 Employment Type: Contract-to-Permanent (Preferred) / Contract
🏢 Work Arrangement: 100% On-site
🚀 Start Date: Immediate
💰 Compensation: TBD -- based on skills and experience

Important Screening Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
• Must be eligible to obtain the required security clearance.
• This position requires 100% on-site work in Montreal, Quebec.
• Contract-to-permanent candidates are strongly preferred, although pure contract candidates will also be considered.
• English proficiency is required. French is considered an asset.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Digital Payload Architect to lead the architecture, design, and integration of next-generation digital regenerative payloads for LEO and MEO satellite missions. In this role, you will define system architectures, drive systems engineering activities, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver advanced satellite communication solutions. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in digital payload systems, regenerative communications, and aerospace systems engineering, with a proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives from concept through integration and testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of digital regenerative payload systems for LEO and MEO satellite missions.
• Define system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical specifications.
• Support systems integration, verification, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop technical documentation, including requirements, test procedures, risk assessments, and engineering reports.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Participate in technical reviews and provide system-level engineering leadership.
• Support trade studies, system analysis, and architecture optimization.
• Utilize Confluence and JIRA to support engineering documentation and project execution.
• Mentor engineering teams and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• 12+ years of experience designing digital regenerative payload systems for LEO and/or MEO satellite missions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of:
  • Digital regenerative communications
  • Software Defined Radio (SDR)
  • Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
  • DVB-RCS and DVB-S2X protocols
  • Digital modulation schemes
  • Class of Service (CoS)
  • Networking and MPLS
  • 2G, 5G, and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
• Strong understanding of aerospace systems engineering principles.
• Hands-on experience supporting system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.
• Strong technical writing skills, including requirements, ICDs, test procedures, and risk documentation.
• Experience using Confluence and JIRA.
• Ability to work independently while leading complex technical initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• French language proficiency.
• Experience leading end-to-end digital payload architecture for commercial or government satellite programs.
• Strong background in satellite communications, systems integration, and digital payload modernization.