Senior Systems Engineer – Flight Software Fault Management

Kepler Communications

Job Location:

Toronto - Canada

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 3 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

At Kepler Communications were not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - were leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time Internet accessforspace-based assets enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and 33 satellites launched to date Kepleroperatesthe first commercial optical data relay constellation enabling real-time continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbitcomputeand 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 ofwhatspossible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives andwerecommitted to creating an environment where you can grow lead and make a global impact.

Ifyoureready 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 compensationwith a robust equity plan to share in our success.

* Comprehensive coverage for health dental and vision insuranceincluding dependents.

* Unlimited vacation supportive parental leave policyand company-wide holiday shutdown.

* Semi-annual company-wide partiesand frequent in-office team events.

* Relocation packagesavailable for approved roles.

* $1500 annual professional development fundto support your growth.

* Fully stocked Toronto office kitchenwith snacks drinks games and top-notch kitchen appliances.

* Town Halls Celebration Calls and Company-wide eventsto stay connected and engaged.

* Were a certifiedGreat Place to Work five years in a row!

As a Senior Systems Engineer you will lead system-level definition and delivery in areas where spacecraft architecture flight software fault management and operations intersect. You will play a key role in translating mission and spacecraft needs into clear software operational and verification requirements while ensuring that fault responses redundancy strategies and reliability considerations are reflected coherently in the system design.

This role is intended for a senior individual contributor with deep expertise in either flight software-facing systems engineering or FDIR/FMECA-driven system architecture. You will work closely with software avionics operations and verification teams to define requirements review technical solutions develop verification approaches and provide systems sign-off for critical deliveries.

Success in this role comes from strong technical judgment the ability to articulate and defend design decisions and a pragmatic approach to delivering robust spacecraft capabilities at pace. This aligns well with the teams hands-on lifecycle-spanning systems mandate and emphasis on pragmatic systems thinking disciplined delivery and cross-functional execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead system definition and delivery for spacecraft capabilities with strong interaction between flight software spacecraft behavior fault management and operations
Develop refine and manage system software and operational requirements ensuring clear traceability from architecture through verification and validation
Serve as the primary systems engineering interface to the flight software team for assigned work packages: clarify intent decompose requirements review implementation approaches and assess requirement coverage and closure
Translate mission spacecraft and operational needs into clear and testable flight software requirements
Review flight software deliverables from a systems perspective and support sign-off of software releases or functional deliveries based on requirement compliance architectural intent and verification evidence
Define and mature FDIR concepts and architectures including fault detection logic fault responses recovery strategies mode transitions saving behavior and operator interactions
Perform or lead FMECA and related analyses to identify failure modes single-point failures mitigation strategies and rationale for redundancy or non-redundancy
Drive the translation of fault management reliability and CONOPS decisions into actionable software spacecraft and operational requirements
Lead or support cross-functional trade studies and design reviews related to autonomy fault tolerance software behavior system robustness and mission operations
Develop and review verification strategies test plans and acceptance criteria for software-enabled functions and fault-management features
Partner closely with Verification & Validation to ensure test coverage traceability and verification evidence are sufficient to support system closure and readiness decisions
Support integration test commissioning preparation anomaly investigation and operational readiness activities related to software-driven and fault-management-driven capabilities
Mentor junior and intermediate engineers in requirements decomposition systems thinking and practical application of robust systems engineering methods

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelors or Masters degree in Systems Engineering Aerospace Engineering Software Engineering or a related field
7 years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering avionics or software-facing systems engineering or similar technical leadership roles in complex aerospace systems
Deep expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- flight software-facing systems engineering including requirements definition decomposition implementation review verification planning and delivery acceptance; or
- FDIR FMECA and fault-management architecture including redundancy philosophy failure management strategies and reliability-informed design justification
Demonstrated experience in owning developing and managing system software and operational requirements for complex spacecraft functions
Strong experience collaborating and coordinating with flight software avionics operations and V&V teams in an integrated spacecraft development environment
Experience defining CONOPS and translating them into technical requirements software behavior and operational workflows
Experience reviewing technical implementations and verifying that delivered solutions satisfy system intent and are testable traceable and operationally usable
Strong understanding of spacecraft architecture subsystem interactions and nominal and off-nominal system behavior
Experience developing or reviewing verification plans test cases and requirement closure evidence for integrated spacecraft systems
Working knowledge of communications protocols command and telemetry architectures and interface definition principles relevant to onboard software and subsystem integration
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills particularly in system-level troubleshooting architectural trade studies and risk-informed decision-making
Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions fault-management approaches and technical rationale to cross-functional teams and stakeholders
Ability to adapt quickly and contribute effectively in a multi-program environment with evolving priorities and varying levels of system maturity

Bonus Points:

Familiarity with aerospace standards related to onboard data handling communications and software/system interfaces including ECSS-related standards and SAVOIR along with exposure to software development processes and Agile development methods where applicable
Experience using AI-enabled tools automation or agentic AI workflows to support engineering processes along with curiosity and initiative to explore how these approaches can improve systems engineering activities such as requirements development traceability analysis review and documentation
Experience with spacecraft modes autonomy safing strategies and onboard fault response design
Familiarity with reliability analysis RAMS and mission assurance methods
Experience with spacecraft integration environmental testing and verification campaign execution
Experience supporting LEOP commissioning anomaly response or on-orbit operational support
Familiarity with broader aerospace systems standards and guidance such as ECSS or NASA frameworks
Experience with Python Matlab simulation environments or test automation tools used to support systems analysis and verification

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 emailprotected 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.

Required Experience:

Senior IC

At Kepler Communications were not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - were leading it!Our mission is to provide real-time Internet accessforspace-based assets enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and 33 satellites launched to date Kepleroperatesthe first commercial ...