Senior Spectrum Engineer

The incumbent is responsible for securing, maintaining, and protecting the spectrum and orbital rights required to support Telesat's GSO and NGSO satellite systems. The role leads complex spectrum engineering, ITU filing and coordination activities; conducts interference and compatibility analyses; supports satellite system design from a spectrum and regulatory perspective; and represents Telesat in technical coordination discussions with satellite operators, administrations, and relevant domestic and international regulatory bodies. The position provides technical and regulatory advice that informs satellite system design, spectrum strategy, and regulatory decisions.

Main Responsibilities

• Prepare, submit, and manage ITU satellite network and system filings and associated technical and regulatory showings in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations, including applicable coordination and notification procedures.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, legal, business development, and other internal stakeholders to ensure satellite system designs and deployment plans are consistent with applicable spectrum and regulatory requirements and that associated filings accurately reflect system design and operational characteristics.
• Analyze ITU examination results and regulatory findings, determine appropriate technical and regulatory responses, and lead coordination activities with other satellite operators and administrations through to resolution.
• Perform interference, sharing, compatibility, and coordination analyses involving GSO and NGSO satellite networks and systems, other space services, and terrestrial services, including link-budget and carrier-level analyses as applicable.
• Prepare and manage domestic regulatory applications, filings, and associated technical submissions through to completion with relevant national authorities.
• Develop and support contributions to ITU-R Working Parties, relevant regional organizations and preparatory groups, and WRC processes in support of Telesat's spectrum and regulatory objectives.
• Prepare technical and regulatory analyses, coordination correspondence, briefing materials, recommendations, and presentations for internal stakeholders and senior management.
• Lead technical coordination discussions and negotiations with satellite operators and administrations and support the development and conclusion of coordination agreements.
• Provide strategic technical and regulatory advice and recommendations to senior management on spectrum access, protection, coordination, system design, and associated regulatory risks and opportunities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in satellite spectrum engineering, RF engineering, satellite communications, or telecommunications regulatory engineering.
• Demonstrated experience applying the ITU Radio Regulations to satellite networks and systems, particularly Articles 9 and 11 and associated Rules of Procedure.
• Demonstrated proficiency in satellite link-budget, interference, compatibility, and coordination analysis.
• Experience with relevant ITU Radiocommunication Bureau software and databases used for satellite filing and coordination activities.
• Proficiency with analytical/programming tools such as Python or MATLAB; experience with commercial satellite-system or interference-analysis tools is an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory matters to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.

Decision Making and Supervision

• The incumbent exercises substantial independent technical judgment in the development and execution of spectrum filing, coordination, and interference-analysis strategies. The incumbent develops recommendations concerning the acquisition, maintenance, and protection of spectrum and orbital rights and advises on regulatory and spectrum-related constraints that may influence satellite system design and operations. Matters involving significant commercial, legal, policy, or corporate commitments are escalated to the appropriate decision-making authority.
• The role does not currently require direct people management but may provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to engineers and other team members.

Working Conditions

• Position is based in Ottawa, Ontario, with a hybrid work arrangement.
• Domestic and international travel may be required to support coordination negotiations, regulatory meetings, ITU-R activities, and related industry events.