Manager, Link Layer Testing

The Manager, Link Layer Testing is responsible for leading the end-to-end integration, verification, and validation of the Lightspeed Link segment, including all ground-to-space and space-to-ground communications capabilities.

This role owns the planning, execution, and reporting of system-level testing activities to ensure that Link functionality meets system requirements, performance objectives, and operational readiness criteria. The Manager will lead a team of verification and validation engineers and work closely with system engineering, payload, radio frequency, network, operations, and supplier teams to deliver high-confidence system releases.

Resource is expected to be working onsite at Telesat HQ, 5 days per week

Key Accountabilities

Technical Leadership and Ownership

• Own the integration, verification, and validation strategy for the Link segment across all program releases.
• Lead Link end-to-end system testing spanning ground equipment, spacecraft, network control systems, and operational environments.
• Define and maintain verification plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria for Link capabilities.
• Ensure full traceability from system and segment requirements to verification activities and test evidence.

Test Planning and Execution

• Plan and execute laboratory, simulation, and integrated system tests to validate Link functionality and performance.
• Lead system readiness activities supporting test readiness reviews, system readiness reviews, and operational readiness milestones.
• Review and approve supplier test plans, test reports, and release documentation related to Link deliverables.
• Drive issue identification, triage, root cause analysis, and closure in collaboration with engineering and supplier teams.

Team Leadership and People Management

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Link verification and validation team.
• Assign priorities, manage workload, and ensure delivery against program milestones.
• Provide technical coaching and mentorship to verification and validation engineers.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and skills development to ensure the right capabilities are in place.

Cross-Functional and Supplier Collaboration

• Act as the primary verification and validation interface for Link-related topics.
• Partner closely with system engineering, payload engineering, radio frequency engineering, network engineering, operations, and program management teams.
• Participate in design and technical reviews to ensure testability and verification coverage.
• Communicate test status, risks, and results clearly to engineering leadership and stakeholders.

Certification and Compliance

• Produce clear, traceable, and auditable verification evidence to support internal readiness decisions and external certification activities.
• Ensure verification activities comply with organizational processes, quality standards, and governance requirements.

Education and Skills required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Minimum 8-12 years of relevant engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership or management role.
• 5+ years of experience managing a team of direct reports
• Proven experience delivering system-level integration and verification for complex, multi-element systems.
• Strong knowledge of satellite communications systems and ground-to-space communications architectures.
• Experience with system integration and end-to-end testing of large-scale telecommunications or aerospace systems.
• Solid understanding of performance, availability, reliability, and operational behavior in complex systems.
• Familiarity with laboratory environments, simulators, and test infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working with external suppliers and partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite constellations or large-scale communications networks.
• Background in radio frequency systems, payload validation, or network performance testing.
• Experience supporting operational readiness, early operations, or in-service validation.

Core Competencies

• Technical leadership and decision-making
• Systems thinking and problem solving
• Planning, execution, and delivery discipline
• Collaboration and stakeholder management
• Mentorship and team development