Avionics Architect

Role Overview

• Own the top-level avionics architecture for a satellite platform, including system decomposition, interface strategy, and architectural trade studies across the OBC, payload with a focus on security, reliability, serviceability, and scalability
• Define architectures that support high-speed networking payloads (up to 100G), backplanes, management networks, timing/clock distribution, system boot and recovery concepts
• Lead the design of robust Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR), including safe-mode behavior, degraded operation, watchdog strategies, firmware recovery, and contingency operations across the spacecraft
• Document and maintain the avionics technical baseline, including architecture diagrams, interface definitions, trade studies, operating modes, and design justifications.
• Provide technical leadership through architecture reviews, subsystem design reviews, integration planning, anomaly resolution, and roadmap development for future designs
• Perform and guide engineering analyses, including derating, reliability, radiation tolerance, single-point failure analysis, EMI/EMC, signal integrity, power distribution concepts, and FMECA-informed design improvements
• Work cross-functionally with networking, GNC, RF, software, FPGA, systems, AIT, and mechanical/thermal teams
• Support supplier and component selection for critical avionics functions, especially in high-speed interconnect, timing, compute, FPGA/SoC, memory, and networking subsystems
• Represent Electrical Engineering at internal and external design reviews.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in space and high-performance electrical systems

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; Master's Degree is an asset
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft avionics, high-speed digital electronics, network equipment, or other complex embedded hardware systems, with significant experience at the architecture or technical lead level
• Demonstrated experience architecting complex multi-board or distributed systems that combine processors, FPGAs/SoCs, management controllers, storage, power distribution, and high-speed interfaces
• Strong background in high-speed networking architecture or networking equipment design, including experience with Ethernet switching or routing systems up to 100G-class links
• Experience with system architecture for compute platforms using modern SoCs, FPGAs, and memories such as QSPI NOR, eMMC, DDR4, SATA, NVMe, or similar technologies
• Strong understanding of reliability and operability considerations, including FDIR, watchdog and reset strategies, boot architecture, firmware update and recovery concepts, redundancy, and fault containment
• Experience conducting engineering analyses such as FMECA/FMEA, worst-case analysis, radiation effects mitigation, EMI/EMC, signal integrity, and power architecture trade-offs
• Ability to evaluate architectural trade-offs across performance, thermal constraints, electrical power, manufacturability, testability, schedule, and mission risk
• Experience working in fast-paced development environments where requirements evolve, including driving early design decisions and validating key architectural assumptions
• Strong communication skills and ability to produce clear, thorough technical documentation and present architectural decisions to cross-functional engineering leadership
• Comfortable operating across system-level architecture and detailed interface design, from early concept development through integration and validation

Tech Stack

• Distributed Systems
• Switching

Benefits

• 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!