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Satellite Rf Engineer Jobs in Ottawa, ON (NOW HIRING)

Telesat

User Terminal Modem RF Engineer

Ottawa, ON

TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered ... This role is handson but productfocused-ideal for an engineer who understands RF hardware deeply ...

Telesat

Communications Systems Engineer

Ottawa, ON · Hybrid

The successful candidate will develop integrated satellite RF and IP networking solutions utilizing ... The role combines systems engineering, customer engagement, solution architecture, and field ...

Telesat

Civil Engineering Specialist

Ottawa, ON

TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered ... Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada or eligible for registration with a provincial ...

Fidus Systems

Hardware Designer

Ottawa, ON · On-site

CA$95K - CA$145K/yr

... of engineering quality and documentation. Make an Impact with US: At Fidus, you'll work on high ... In practice, that means contributing to projects in areas such as space and satellite systems, next ...

All JobsSatellite Rf Engineer JobsSatellite Rf Engineer Jobs in Ottawa, ON

Satellite Rf Engineer information

What is the difference between Satellite Rf Engineer vs Satellite Communications Technician?

AspectSatellite Rf EngineerSatellite Communications Technician
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related, RF certificationsTechnical diploma or associate degree, RF and satellite training
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and troubleshooting RF systems in labs or fieldInstallation, maintenance, and repair of satellite systems on-site
Industry UsageDesign and optimize satellite RF systems for telecom, defense, or spaceOperate and maintain satellite communication equipment for service providers

Satellite Rf Engineers focus on designing and testing RF systems, while Satellite Communications Technicians handle installation and maintenance. Both roles require RF knowledge but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a satellite RF engineer?

To thrive as a Satellite RF Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, with expertise in radio frequency (RF) theory, satellite communications, and often a relevant degree. Familiarity with RF simulation software (like CST or HFSS), spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and industry certifications such as FCC licensing are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork enhance success in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure reliable satellite communication systems and efficient troubleshooting in a highly technical, mission-critical environment.

What is a satellite RF engineer?

Satellite RF Engineers are specialists who design, develop, test, and maintain radio frequency (RF) systems used in satellite communications. They are responsible for ensuring reliable transmission and reception of signals between satellites and ground stations, often working with antennas, transmitters, receivers, and other RF components. Their expertise is crucial for enabling services such as satellite TV, internet, navigation, and remote sensing. Satellite RF Engineers also troubleshoot signal issues, optimize system performance, and comply with regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges satellite RF engineers face when working on satellite communication systems?

Satellite RF Engineers often encounter challenges related to signal interference, atmospheric attenuation, and ensuring reliable communication links over long distances. Dealing with strict regulatory standards and coordinating frequency allocations is also part of the role. Additionally, troubleshooting hardware in remote or space-based environments can require creative solutions and close collaboration with cross-functional teams such as system integration and network operations.
What job categories do people searching Satellite Rf Engineer jobs in Ottawa, ON look for? The top searched job categories for Satellite Rf Engineer jobs in Ottawa, ON are:
What cities near Ottawa, ON are hiring for Satellite Rf Engineer jobs? Cities near Ottawa, ON with the most Satellite Rf Engineer job openings:
Satellite Rf Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Satellite Rf Engineer job openings in Ottawa, ON as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

User Terminal Modem RF Engineer

Telesat

Ottawa, ON

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 55 years.  Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise and Government users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.
The company's state-of-the-art Satellite fleet consists of 12 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite.  For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com


We are seeking a midlevel RF engineer to support the technical management, production readiness, and lifecycle sustainment of an UT Modem/RF module used for DVB operation within the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network.

This role is handson but productfocused-ideal for an engineer who understands RF hardware deeply, but operates comfortably at the intersection of systems engineering, product and program management, manufacturing, test, and sustaining support. You will act as a technical anchor for the UT Modem/RF module as it transitions from development into qualification, volume production, deployment, and longterm operational support.

Main Responsibilities

RF Module Technical Stewardship

  • Serve as a technical owner for an RF module supporting DVBS/S2/S2X and/or DVBRCS2 operation in a LEO satellite network.
  • Support RF architecture definition and performance budgets (gain, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, spurious emissions).
  • Ensure RF performance compliance across process, voltage, temperature, aging, and environmental corners.
  • Support systemlevel trade studies and impact assessments when requirements or operating conditions evolve.

Design Review & Engineering Oversight

  • Review and approve RF schematics and PCB layouts produced by internal or external design teams.
  • Ensure adherence to best practices for:
  • RF grounding and isolation
  • EMI/EMC mitigation
  • Shielding and thermal management
  • Mixedsignal partitioning
  • Participate in formal design and readiness reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR), identifying technical risks and proposing mitigation strategies.

Manufacturing & Production Support (Primary Emphasis)

  • Act as the engineering interface to contract manufacturers (CMs), ODMs, and key suppliers.
  • Lead or support DFM/DFT/DFS reviews, with focus on yield, repeatability, and longterm producibility.

Define and maintain:

  • Manufacturing test strategies
  • Acceptance criteria
  • Golden units and correlation plans
  • Support EVT/DVT/PVT builds and production rampup.
  • Analyze production data (yield, fallout, trends) and drive rootcause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Own or support ECO/ECR processes, ensuring controlled and traceable changes throughout the product lifecycle.

Test, Verification & Interoperability

  • Develop, review, and maintain RF, functional, and systemlevel test procedures.
  • Support validation and production testing including:
  • EVM / MER
  • ACLR
  • Phase noise
  • Harmonics and spurious emissions
  • DVB waveform compliance
  • Work closely with system and test teams to ensure requirements traceability and verification completeness.
  • Support environmental, thermal, and reliability testing aligned with highreliability or aerospace practices.

Embedded Control & Firmware Collaboration

  • Support embedded control architectures used to configure and monitor RF hardware.
  • Review and support interfaces such as SPI, IC, and UART.
 
Collaborate with firmware teams on:
 
  • Board bringup
  • Calibration and compensation routines
  • Telemetry, health monitoring, and diagnostics
  • Ensure embedded control supports both manufacturing test and inservice operation.

Product Lifecycle & Sustaining Engineering

  • Provide ongoing engineering support for deployed hardware, including:
  • Field issues
  • Performance anomalies
  • Failure analysis and returns
  • Manage component lifecycle risks, including obsolescence and secondsource qualification.
  • Maintain configuration control, technical documentation, and manufacturing records in PLM systems.
  • Support longterm product roadmap considerations, including upgrades and endoflife planning
Education and Experience
  • B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline (M.Sc. preferred).
  • 3-6 years of experience supporting RF hardware in production or operational environments.
  • Strong understanding of RF components and subsystems (LNAs, mixers, PLLs, PAs, filters).
  • Experience reviewing RF schematics and PCB layouts, rather than performing layout work.
  • Familiarity with DVB physicallayer concepts and performance metrics.
  • Handson experience supporting test development and automation (e.g., Python/SCPI, LabVIEW).
  • Demonstrated experience working with manufacturing partners and supporting production issues.
  • Strong documentation, change management, and crossteam communication skills.
Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Experience with LEO satellite systems or user terminals.
  • Exposure to systems engineering practices (requirements decomposition, verification planning).
  • Experience working with ODMs or highvolume CMs.
  • Familiarity with embedded Linux, Yocto, or boardlevel bringup support.
  • Exposure to EMI/EMC compliance or aerospace qualification testing.
  • Experience sustaining products postdeployment.
  • Experience in working with external vendors and Product Management organization
  • Comfortable owning hardware beyond initial design.
  • Manufacturing Empathy: Designs and decisions informed by production realities.
  • Systems Thinking: Understands how RF modules fit into larger communication systems.
  • Execution Focus: Drives issues to closure across organizational boundaries.
  • Clear Communicator: Effectively interfaces with RF, systems, firmware, test, and suppliers.
Working Conditions
  • This position will be based out of the Ottawa, ON office
  • Full-time office or hybrid 4 days office/1 day remote, subject to work needs
  • Working conditions are generally comfortable typical of an office environment.
  • Combination of lab, manufacturing, and office work.
  • Onsite presence required for debug, FA, and production support activities.
  • Occasional travel to manufacturing and UT development partners and test facilities (10-15%).
  • Candidate must be able to obtain relevant security clearance for Canada
At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace.   We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process.   All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly.  We will work with you to meet your needs.   All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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