User Terminal Modem RF Engineer

About the role

You will own the technical execution and delivery of the User Terminal Modem/RF module for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit network, ensuring it meets stringent performance, reliability, and producibility targets from development through full production. You will define and drive the product-level technical roadmap for the RF and modem functions, balancing system requirements, cost targets, and manufacturing constraints in close partnership with cross‑functional teams. You will serve as the primary technical authority and system integrator for the RF front end and modem, translating high‑level mission and network requirements into detailed, testable hardware and firmware specifications. You will lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and trade studies that shape the product architecture, ensuring robust performance across the full mission lifecycle in the demanding LEO environment. You will own the qualification and production test strategy, ensuring the module can be verified efficiently at scale while maintaining traceability to system and mission requirements. You will act as the focal point for manufacturing and field support, providing the technical guidance needed to resolve issues, implement corrective actions, and sustain long‑term product reliability. You will coordinate with program management, systems engineering, and operations to align schedules, resolve technical dependencies, and maintain disciplined execution against program milestones. You will contribute to the continuous improvement of the product through design reviews, lessons learned, and updates to technical documentation that support both current production and future evolution of the Telesat Lightspeed user terminal.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define and execute the technical strategy, architecture, and roadmaps for the User Terminal Modem/RF module to meet Telesat Lightspeed network performance, coverage, and latency objectives.

Perform system and subsystem trade studies, evaluating alternative RF architectures, modem algorithms, and component options to optimize performance, cost, size, weight, and power for LEO user terminal applications.

Develop detailed technical requirements and verification plans that connect high‑level mission and network requirements to hardware, firmware, and test solutions across the product lifecycle.

Lead the design, integration, and qualification of the RF front end, including power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, filters, and up/down converters to satisfy stringent spectral, emission, and sensitivity targets.

Own the modem functional and performance validation, ensuring compliance with DVB standards, error correction schemes, and protocol adaptations required for secure and efficient data delivery.

Collaborate closely with manufacturing and test engineering to develop scalable production processes, yield improvement plans, and test procedures that ensure high quality and reliability at volume.

Provide technical leadership across the product lifecycle, from early concept and prototyping through qualification, production ramp, field deployment, and ongoing sustainment and obsolescence management.

Analyze field performance data and mission feedback, driving corrective actions, firmware and hardware updates, and design improvements to enhance reliability, throughput, and customer outcomes.

Partner with systems engineering, program management, and operations to coordinate schedules, resolve technical dependencies, and ensure alignment with program milestones and delivery commitments.

Champion best practices in engineering documentation, design reviews, risk management, and configuration management to maintain traceability and support continuous improvement.

Support the development and execution of qualification and acceptance test plans, including environmental, thermal, vibration, and RF performance testing to validate product robustness.

Define and implement test methodologies that verify end‑to‑end modem and RF performance under realistic LEO link conditions, including dynamic Doppler, varying elevation angles, and transient link scenarios.

Lead interactions with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and partner teams, to resolve technical issues, streamline component availability, and uphold program timelines.

Promote a disciplined engineering culture by maintaining up‑to‑date technical records, decisions, and rationale to enable smooth transitions, audits, and knowledge transfer across the organization.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience as an RF engineer, modem engineer, or systems engineer with a strong focus on satellite communications, space systems, or demanding wireless telemetry applications.

Possess a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with a graduate degree or additional certifications highly valued.

Bring 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing, integrating, and testing RF front‑ends and modem subsystems for satellite or high‑performance communication systems.

Show proven ability to manage complex technical trade studies and make architecture decisions that balance performance, schedule, and cost in a program environment.

Have a strong track record of developing and executing verification and validation strategies for hardware, firmware, and integrated systems, including test planning and results traceability.

Demonstrate expertise with RF and modem standards and protocols relevant to satellite communications, including DVB implementations, error correction, and modem framing.

Be comfortable working in a fast‑paced, matrixed program environment where priorities evolve and technical ambiguity must be navigated with sound judgment.

Commit to adhering to program processes, configuration management practices, and quality standards that ensure reliable, traceable, and manufacturable product outcomes.

Nice to have

Experience with LEO satellite systems, user terminals, or space‑based communications payloads is highly preferred.

Background in production engineering, test development, and supply chain collaboration to drive yield, cost, and schedule improvements.

Familiarity with modem IP, software-defined radio techniques, and firmware development for communication protocols.

Experience supporting field operations, failure analysis, and corrective action resolution for deployed user equipment.

Practical notes

This is a full‑time position based in Ottawa, Ontario, with no current expectation for travel.

The role is covered by standard employment eligibility requirements consistent with Canadian regulations and Telesat policies.

Candidates must meet all specified qualifications and be able to pass background checks as required for the position.