Avionics Architect

Toronto, Canada

Full-Time

TLDR

Lead the system architecture for next-generation satellite avionics, balancing performance, reliability, and operability for a complex spacecraft.

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it! Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access for space-based assets, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact. If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler! What We Offer: * 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! We are looking for an Avionics Architect to lead the system architecture of Kepler’s next-generation satellite avionics platform. This role will define and drive the end-to-end avionics architecture for a complex spacecraft that combines a high-speed networking payload, an On-Board Computer (OBC), and interfaces to a sophisticated Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) sensor and actuator suite. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in high-speed digital or networking equipment architecture and can translate mission and product requirements into a robust, scalable, and recoverable avionics system that balances performance, reliability, operability, and development risk. Key Responsibilities:

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

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

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

Bonus Points:

Experience working in an aerospace or high-reliability (high-rel) environment

Experience designing hardware/systems to operate in a radiation environment

Low-level electrical design, high-speed layout

Experience working with Altium

Experience with space standards (NASA or ECSS)
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.

Learning Budget

$1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.

Team events and parties

Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.

Paid Time Off

Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.

Remote-Friendly

Remote-friendly environment.

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Kepler Communications

Kepler Communications operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, delivering real-time Internet access for space-based assets. Our service is tailored for industries involved in space exploration and satellite communications, empowering them with continuous connectivity to enhance their data-driven initiatives.

Founded: Founded 2015
Employees: 11-50 employees
Industry: Diversified Telecommunication Services
Total raised: $5.1M raised

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