Senior Network Architect-LEO

The Senior Network Architect -LEO, reporting to the Senior Program Manager, is accountable for creating a highly available, efficient, and scalable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network environment. Through the application of best‑practice–based methods and architectures, this position designs and governs end‑to‑end LEO network solutions including space segment, ground segment, gateway infrastructure, inter‑satellite connectivity, and integration with terrestrial networks.

This role leads the architectural design and implementation of LEO constellation networking, satellite‑to‑ground communications, gateway and backhaul integration, routing and traffic engineering across space and ground domains, and core network security for LEO‑based services.

The Senior Network Architect (SNA) is the technical authority on all matters related to the LEO network and maintains a current perspective on evolving satellite networking technologies, standards, spectrum considerations, and security best practices. The role leads the development of LEO network technology and vendor strategy, establishes key supplier and partner relationships, and ensures architectural decisions balance technical excellence with business and regulatory diligence.

The SNA is frequently called upon to consult on designs involving high‑value customers and strategic services, and to lead architecture verification and service validation activities conducted in lab, field‑trial, and pre‑production LEO environments.

Employment Equity

Northwestel values diversity in the workplace and is committed to the goals of Employment Equity. We strive to achieve a skilled workforce that is representative of the population we serve, and as a Northern company, we are committed to the employment and career development of our Indigenous peoples. Please clearly indicate on your application if you are an Indigenous person, a woman, a person with a disability, or a visible minority if you wish to receive hiring preference.

Specific Accountabilities

• Liaises with Senior Management and Executive teams on matters related to LEO satellite network architecture and associated business development opportunities

• Supports and consults business decision support and regulatory teams on spectrum usage, licensing, regulatory proceedings, and profitability analyses related to LEO network operations

• Consults and contributes to RFP teams to win strategic customers requiring LEO‑based connectivity and services

• Liaises with key customer technical representatives, satellite vendors, and partners regarding services delivered over the LEO network

• Leads the development and evolution of LEO constellation network architectures, including space, ground, and gateway domains

• Leads design of fundamental network behavior using best‑practice application of:

• Satellite networking and orbital considerations

• Inter‑satellite links (ISL)

• Satellite‑to‑ground and gateway architectures

• IP routing, traffic engineering, QoS, and security across hybrid space/terrestrial networks

• Conducts architecture verification testing to qualify and approve LEO network changes, upgrades, and expansions

• Leads or conducts service verification testing to validate internal and customer‑facing LEO service architectures

• Leads or conducts device and platform verification testing to qualify:

• Satellite payload networking components

• Ground station and gateway equipment

• Network control and management systems

• Maintains and develops strategic relationships with LEO satellite vendors, ground infrastructure providers, and industry partners

• Verifies and qualifies new or updated software, firmware, and network control systems used in the LEO environment

• Designs network and service test scenarios to expose vulnerabilities such as:

• Latency and handover impacts

• Scalability limits

• Congestion and contention scenarios

• Fault and degradation conditions

• Designs and validates failover, redundancy, and restoration architectures across space, ground, and gateway components

• Develops and documents standardized LEO network and service provisioning templates to enable approved, tested, and repeatable deployments

• Participates in complex problem resolution for the LEO network environment (Level 3 technical support)

• Leads development of short‑ to medium‑term tactical plans to:

• Expand or modify LEO capacity

• Introduce new satellites, gateways, or coverage regions

• Address obsolescence, demand growth, or service evolution

• Collaborates with transport, IP, Power & Civil infrastructure, and service delivery teams to ensure seamless end‑to‑end integration between LEO and terrestrial networks

• Collaborates with Enterprise Marketing and service development teams to design and enhance LEO‑based services, including:

• QoS models and service classes

• Policy alignment with customer SLAs

• Service performance measurement and reporting architectures

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Engineering degree or equivalent, with five years’ experience in telecommunications, satellite communications, or service provider networking environments

• Deep and specialized knowledge of satellite networking concepts, LEO architectures, and IP‑based service delivery

• Strong understanding of interactions between space systems, ground infrastructure, and terrestrial networks, and the impact of changes across domains

• Broad knowledge of networks and systems used across the organization, with the ability to stay current as satellite and networking technologies evolve

• Excellent analytical and system performance analysis skills to support root‑cause identification and risk quantification

• Strong project management skills to support controlled cutovers, launches, and releases

• Effective customer and partner engagement skills, particularly in technically complex environments

Working Conditions

This position works in a typical office environment. The incumbent is occasionally required to travel two to three times per year, for up to one week at a time, for meetings, conferences, field trials, or site visits related to LEO satellite systems and ground infrastructure.

What We Offer You

• Health & Wellness Benefits, Pension Plan, Discounts 

• Team Incentive Bonus

• Paid Vacation with a Vacation Travel Allowance

• Work-Life Balance

• Community Involvement

Closing 

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Posting will remain active until the position is filled. 

As a safety conscious COR™ Certified organization, we have an established and comprehensive safety program.  We expect all employees to participate in our organizational health and safety programs, adhering to all safe work procedures focused on continuous improvement.