Solution Architect

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) 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 MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK 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.

Are you ready to launch the next stage of your career in the new space economy? We would love to hear from you!

We're on the hunt for a Solution Architect on our Robotics & Space Operations team at our Houston office.

With 40 years of operational experience and proven performance on the iconic Canadarm programs including Space Shuttle and International Space Station robotics and operations support, our Robotics & Space Operations team has 100% mission success in making space dreams come true.

The Solution Architect is a key functional role assigned to the Office of the Chief Architect during pursuits and for Product definition activities. The Solution Architect is the Solution Design Authority responsible for creating end to end robotic system solutions for customers that maximize the use of robotic common elements and minimize custom development. Common elements form the foundational products from which the Solution Architect creates tailorable robotic systems to meet customer needs. As part of the Product definition activity, the Solution Architect decomposes and defines the technical baseline and/or enhancements for robotic common elements from existing and projected market segment level solutions, identifies innovation to provide improved, expanded, and sustainable business line offerings and supports technology road mapping with Product Managers. The Solution Architect further champions and facilitates transfer of applicable R&D technology (people/ideas) into development programs and products.

The Solution Architect is responsible for a critical business function. The quality, cost and competitiveness of our robotic system solutions depends on the creativity and influence of the Solution Architect, both within MDA and with each engaged customer team. The growth of our company depends on the success of the Solution Architect to win the hearts and minds of customers along with the creation of a winning solution. The Solution Architect is thus constantly required to manage customer and internal priorities, an evolving baseline over the short, intense pursuit period, and juggle cost-driven solution changes to meet multiple conflicting stakeholder demands.

Responsibilities

• Solution Design Authority who works with a pursuit team to create an end to end robotic system solution for a customer by:
  • Working with BD and the capture manager to understand customer needs
  • Working directly with the customer to influence customer configurations, requirements and expectations to best fit MDA's system level offerings composed of common elements.
  • Directing an assigned team of Advanced Systems engineers to define a solution to be compliant with customer needs, maximizes the use of robotic common elements, minimizes new development and meets the price to win
    • The solution comprises end to end configuration definition, performance requirements, system level spec, interface definition, verification plan, risks all to a level that supports a fully costed program plan and bid price
  • Working with the Proposal manager to provide proposal content
  • Working with the Advanced Program Manager to support solution costing and when required, adjusts the solution to meet the price to win.
  • Supporting the pursuit and BD by communicating solutions to the customer and MDA Space executives in a convincing manner stressing our value proposition and domain expertise
• Robotic Systems Architect who supports Product Management in the definition and allocation of features, performance, interfaces and other requirements to our Common Elements and the creation of technical roadmaps to meet emerging customer needs by:
  • Receiving inputs from a range of stakeholders including customers and front-end of the business: receive the RSO strategic/mission level roadmap, competitive positioning and market intelligence from BD, attend conferences, support BD pre-pursuit activities
  • Work with Product Marketing to segment the market to ensure our range of system level offerings meet customers needs today and tomorrow
  • decompose mission requirements and use cases into system level offerings and further decompose system requirements into common element requirements and configurations
  • Identify common elements, their interfaces, characteristics and features
  • Provide input to address technology gaps and emerging customer needs in support of common element technology roadmap creation
• Robotic Solution Authority who aids in the transition from bid to program execution upon award by:
  • Formally transferring the bid technical baseline for a customer to the program execution team when it is stood up, sometimes a year after the bid was submitted.
    • Ensure technical baseline integrity by describing the bid and costed common element usage, modifications to common elements and new developments
    • Resist changes to the technical baseline during the program baselining phase
  • Help communicate the vision, roadmap rationale, and the requirements rationale to the Product Managers and the Product Development Team(s) in charge of executing the product development and upwards to executives, the Product Marketing team and other business related stakeholders
    • Help link common element enhancements with IRAD activities and customer program needs to ensure a consistent set of interoperable common elements in time for customer deliveries
    • Propose and help steer internal R&D activities aligned with business objectives and future market needs

Qualifications Required :

• Bachelor degree in Engineering or equivalent technical degree
• Masters or PhD degree an asset
• 10+ years experience in relevant technical field, ideally exposed to a range of robotic systems
• Excellent analytical and innovation capabilities
• Strong business sense for finding optimum technical / risk / schedule and cost solutions
• Excellent industry and market awareness
• Thorough knowledge of relevant technologies, products, services, and methods
• Works well in a dynamic environment where some of the parameters are unknown and some change regularly
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities at once
• Self-motivated with good interpersonal skills
• A team player demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Ability to work in a cross-expertise team with different engineering backgrounds
• Ability to work autonomously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under schedule and cost pressure
• Ability to work with various levels in the organisation, including sales team, senior management, and VP level
• Focuses strongly on achieving agreed upon outcomes and ensures that key objectives are met
• Is strongly results oriented and exhibits excellent critical thinking
• Strives to provide customers/clients with personalized and efficient service
• Demonstrates excellent ability to cope with significant workload peaks

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 Space 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 Space and Canada's leadership in this next golden age.

Comments/Special Considerations:

To meet the requirements of this role, the successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen, or a lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder).

Benefits statement:

MDA Space provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA Space, 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.

Equal opportunity statement:

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

Accommodations

MDA Ltd. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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