Role Description:In a matrix organization, the Director, System Engineering provides strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight for the system-engineering group that designs, integrates, and validates the complex satellites and End-to-End systems. Partnering with the Chief Architect, Director of Engineering, program managers, and senior business leaders, the incumbent establishes system-engineering standards, allocates skilled resources to every program, and ensures compliance with regulations.
Responsibilities:- Strategic Leadership - Define and execute the system-engineering roadmap aligned with satellite systems objectives; shape organizational structure, career paths, and resourcing models for the system-engineering community.
- Proposals and Programs Support - Provide cost-effective guidance for the system work.
- Process Improvement - Lead continuous improvement of system-engineering processes, methods, standards, policies and guidelines (MBSE, requirements management, verification & validation).
- Resource Allocation - Supply skilled system-engineering resources for program, proposal, research-development, and technology-development activities.
- Program Execution Resources - Deploy and manage system-engineering talent for all active satellite programs, ensuring on-time delivery of architecture, interface control, and integration deliverables.
- Complex Issue Resolution - Synthesize solutions for high-impact technical challenges that involve multiple disciplines and intangible variables; allocate expert resources to resolve them.
- Competitiveness & Lessons Learned - Drive business-process improvements and institutionalize lessons learned to boost operational competitiveness.
- Risk Management - Participate in risk-identification workshops; develop mitigation strategies for system-level risks and track their implementation.
- Innovation & IR&D - Keep abreast of technology trends, new satellite architectures, and product improvements; recommend initiatives to the Chief Architect for Internal Research & Development (IR&D) and product management.
- Talent Acquisition & Development - Oversee hiring of system-engineers; ensure robust training, mentoring, and career-planning programs for the discipline.
- Performance Management - Conduct performance appraisals for direct reports and contribute to evaluations of indirect reports; foster a high-performance culture.
- Capacity Optimization - Balance engineering capacity across all system-engineering disciplines to meet current and future program demands without excess.
- Budget & Financial Stewardship - Own the system-engineering annual budget; develop forecasts, control expenditures, and ensure adherence to cost targets.
Leadership and Management:- Manage all system-engineering staff, including planning, staffing, budgeting, and expense prioritization.
- Create and revise policies when existing guidance does not fully address new or unique situations, maintaining compliance and responsibility.
- Assess external environmental factors (regulatory changes, market trends, technology shifts) and apply independent judgment to mitigate risk and capture opportunity.
- Define and implement a long-term roadmap for system-engineering capabilities, identifying new opportunities and optimizing existing processes.
- Communicate the company's vision, mission, and objectives to managers and contributors, ensuring alignment across the organization.
Key Competencies:- Communication - Articulate complex technical and business concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences; negotiate and influence stakeholders.
- Leadership - Inspire and direct management and contributor levels on critical projects; build high-performing, collaborative teams.
- Analytical Thinking - Diagnose complex system issues, prioritize key problems, and develop effective, data-driven solutions.
- Business Intelligence - Leverage market and competitive intelligence to guide strategic decisions and risk mitigation.
- Market Awareness - Stay current on aerospace and communications trends, emerging satellite technologies, and competitor activities.
- Collaboration - Work seamlessly with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, business development, launch partners).
- Innovation - Drive creative problem-solving and the development of breakthrough satellite system architectures.
Required Work Experience and Skills:- Minimum 15 years of progressive system-engineering experience in space or high-reliability programs; at least 5 years in senior leadership.
- Proven track record delivering complete systems architectures, from concept through verification.
- Expertise in communications or radar systems
- Deep expertise in MBSE, requirements management (DOORS, Jama, etc.), system-level testing, and interface control.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, geographically dispersed technical teams.
- Strong decision-making under uncertainty and expert conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; fluency in English and French (Contact with customers outside Quebec).
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Canadian government security clearance (Secret or higher) when required.
Education and License Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, or related engineering discipline (Master's preferred).
Comments/Special Considerations:Successful candidates must obtain and hold
security clearance at the reliability statuslevel, and pass security assessment for the
Controlled Goods Program (CGP).
