Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space.
The Role:
MDA Space is seeking a Senior Product Security Architect as a top-tier technical authority responsible for defining, governing, and implementing product security strategies and architectures for satellite system product offering at MDA Space, for both commercial and defense applications. The Senior Product Security Architect ensures that MDA Space’s satellite systems are secure by design, resilient by architecture, while driving consistency, scalability, and technical excellence across all product lines. The Product Security Architect will work with system engineers, software/firmware engineers, mission operations teams, supply chain, and senior leadership to embed robust security by design architectures across the product lifecycle. The role requires deep expertise in hardware root of trust, embedded firmware security, cryptographic communications, threat modeling, compliance, and the ability to translate risk into concrete engineering requirements while striking a balance between risk, cost and schedule.
Tasks:
1. Satellite systems Product Security Architecture
- Act as the product security design authority for satellite systems throughout their lifecycle from the bid phase to in-orbit operations and disposal at end-of-life
- Define and maintain end-to-end cybersecurity architectures align with industry standards (CCSDS, NASA, ESA, NIST) covering:
- Space segment (bus, payloads, onboard software)
- Ground segment (mission operations centers, TT&C, data platforms, network operation centers, radio access networks, etc.)
- Communications links (uplink, downlink, inter-satellite links)
- Establish and approve cybersecurity architectural patterns for reuse across products
- Define key‑management, authentication, and encryption architectures for space‑to‑ground, inter‑satellite links, and cross‑domain data
- Evaluate and select crypto algorithms (AES‑256‑GCM, ECC‑P-256, etc.) compliant with FIPS/ESA standards
- Own the security checkpoints within the product development lifecycle
2. Threat Modeling & Risk Assessment
- Conduct system‑level threat modeling for MDA’s satellite system products.
- Produce risk‑based mitigation roadmaps, security cases, and residual‑risk assessments
- Conduct modeling workshops with cross‑functional teams (systems, firmware, software, RF, network, operations, supply‑chain) to identify hidden threats
3. Roadmapping and strategy development:
- Create and maintain a short, medium and long-term product‑security roadmap that aligns security initiatives with satellite system roadmaps, technology evolution (e.g. post‑quantum crypto, AI‑assisted anomaly detection), and market / mission requirements.
- Communicate roadmap to multiple stakeholders including engineering, line managers, product managers, and executives
- Influence product roadmap by balancing security requirements with performance, cost, and schedule constraints.
- Recommend security investments based on risk assessments, customer mandates, regulatory changes, and emerging threat intelligence.
4. Supply Chain & Ecosystem Cyber Assurance
- Define cybersecurity expectations and architectural requirements for suppliers and partners
- Work with subcontract management and procurement to implement Trusted Foundry and Component Authentication programs; assess counterfeit, malicious modification, and export‑control risks.
- Oversee integration of provenance, SBOMs, and trusted-component strategies into product designs.
- Support internal and external security audits
5. Cross-Product Line Harmonization & Technical Leadership
- Collaborate with other product security Architects to:
- Harmonize product security practices across product lines
- Establish common design patterns, metrics, and assurance approaches
- Share lessons learned, threat intelligence, and architectural innovations
- Coach engineering teams on secure coding, hardware security, and threat‑modeling techniques.
- Define cybersecurity assurance strategies across the design lifecycle in collaboration with Product Assurance
6. Strategic Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to:
- Chief Architect
- Program and product development managers
- Senior leadership
- Key customers and partners
- Translate complex cybersecurity risks into clear, mission-relevant decisions.
- Represent MDA Space in strategic cybersecurity discussions when required
Required Qualifications:
- Education
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
- Systems Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Engineering / Computer Science
- Cybersecurity or equivalent discipline
- Experience
- 15+ years of experience in systems engineering and product security or cybersecurity architecture for complex, mission critical systems
- Demonstrated experience securing large-scale, mission-critical, or safety-critical systems
- Experience in space, aerospace, defense, or highly regulated environments strongly preferred
- Proven track record influencing multiple programs or product lines
- Technical Expertise
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- Deep understanding of:
- Communication network architectures
- Secure communications and cryptographic systems
- System‑level security standards
- Embedded, flight, and ground software security
- Supply-chain and third-party security risk
- Expertise in cryptographic protocols for space communications (CCSDS Security, SASE) preferred
- Strong background in:
- Secure architecture definition and review
- Threat modeling
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Leadership & Influence
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- Recognized technical authority with ability to influence without direct authority
- Strong systems thinking and long-term architectural vision
- Excellent communication skills across engineering and executive audiences
- Comfortable balancing security with cost and schedule constraints
Special Considerations:
Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).
We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.
We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.
MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.
MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
