Lead Systems Designer/Engineer

Toronto, Canada

Full-Time

TLDR

Own the technical authority for satellite programs, driving system design integrity, integration, verification, and mission readiness.

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 on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence 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! As a Lead Satellite Systems Engineer, you will serve as a primary technical authority for satellite and space-system development programs, ensuring the integrity of system design, integration, verification, and mission readiness from concept through delivery. You will translate program objectives into executable technical plans, aligning requirements, architecture, interfaces, trade studies, verification evidence, and risk decisions across a large cross-functional team. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience delivering through at least one satellite-level program lifecycle. Experience with constellation-level architectures, multi-satellite delivery, or cross-program technical execution is a strong asset. This role requires strong systems engineering judgment, the ability to lead through ambiguity, and the communication discipline to align teams and stakeholders while balancing technical integrity with cost, schedule, risk, mission assurance, and customer expectations. This position is intended for a technical leader who can operate with credibility across engineering, program management, product assurance, suppliers, customers, and senior leadership. T1/T2 expectations emphasize ownership of technical outcomes, disciplined integration, requirements alignment, decision closure, readiness evidence, and system-wide integration readiness across multiple subsystems. Key Responsibilities:

Be the lead systems engineering authority for a satellite program or major technical scope, ensuring the integrity of system design, integration, verification, and mission readiness
Translate mission objectives and program constraints into clear technical direction across architecture, requirements, interfaces, trade studies, verification planning, readiness evidence, and technical risk closure
Lead system-level design and integration across spacecraft subsystems, connecting subsystem decisions to whole-system performance, operations, reliability, customer commitments, and lifecycle needs
Partner with Program Management, Product Assurance, subsystem teams, suppliers, customers, and leadership to align technical execution, manage expectations, and close decisions
Lead technical reviews, trade studies, anomaly investigations, readiness milestones, and decision forums with clear recommendations and disciplined follow-through
Manage technical risks and uncertainty by structuring ambiguous problems, clarifying assumptions, defining decision points, and maintaining clear escalation paths
Represent the technical team in program reviews, customer briefings, supplier discussions, and leadership updates through clear writing, presentations, and decision rationale
Mentor engineers and technical leads while improving systems engineering, integration, verification, and review practices to increase predictability and support mission success

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
10+ years of experience in space systems engineering, spacecraft development, satellite systems integration, or a related technical leadership role
Demonstrated experience delivering through at least one satellite-level program lifecycle, including architecture, design, integration, verification, launch readiness, customer delivery, or mission operations phases
Strong working knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including requirements management, system architecture, interface definition, verification planning, integration, technical budgets, risk management, and mission readiness
Experience leading major technical reviews or readiness milestones such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR/MRB, FRR, or equivalent program reviews
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
Familiarity with systems engineering standards and disciplined technical governance practices, including configuration management, discrepancy review, engineering change control, and verification evidence management
Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams through uncertainty, changing priorities, and high-pressure program milestones
Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to align engineering, program management, Product Assurance, customers, suppliers, and leadership around technical decisions and program outcomes
Excellent technical writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear impacts, options, recommendations, and decision rationale
Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and risk management skills
Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain technical rigor while operating in a fast-paced program environment
Flexible, proactive, adaptable, and results-oriented, with a practical “can-do” approach
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

Bonus Points:

Experience with constellation-level systems, multi-satellite programs, portfolio-level technical execution, or scalable satellite architectures
Development or technical leadership experience in one or more spacecraft subsystem areas, preferably software, communications/RF, avionics, payloads, or other mission-critical satellite systems
Experience using subsystem development knowledge to guide IPTs, provide credible recommendations, and connect subsystem-level decisions to whole-system outcomes
Experience with FMECA, FDIR design or development, reliability engineering, fault management, or mission assurance practices
Good working knowledge of orbit analysis, constellation configurations, RF link analysis, system budgets, operations, ground segment, space environment, and satellite mechanical and electrical architectures
Good knowledge of a range of satellite applications, such as Earth observation, communications, navigation, science, or related mission domains
Experience with payload development, integration, customer delivery, technical management, operations, or mission application understanding, including optical, SAR, SigINT, communications, or other mission payloads
Experience applying AI-enabled tools or automation to improve systems engineering workflows, including design iteration, technical reviews, documentation, trade studies, and decision tracking, while maintaining engineering rigor and human oversight

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 accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.

Free Meals & Snacks

Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.

Health Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.

Learning Budget

$1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.

Great Place to Work recognition

Great Place to Work®, five years in a row!

Paid Time Off

Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.

Remote-Friendly

Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.

Visa Sponsorship

Relocation packages available for approved roles.

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Kepler Communications

Kepler Communications operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, delivering real-time Internet access for space-based assets. Our service is tailored for industries involved in space exploration and satellite communications, empowering them with continuous connectivity to enhance their data-driven initiatives.

Founded: Founded 2015
Employees: 11-50 employees
Industry: Diversified Telecommunication Services
Total raised: $5.1M raised

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