--- title: 'Security System Architect at Telesat' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/security-system-architect-telesat-ottawa-cnx3k3mbavw0' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Security System Architect at Telesat - **Company:** Telesat - **Location:** Ottawa, Canada - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-08-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/telesat/cb325966-2b0a-40c0-abf8-4fce3c391248 ## 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 an experienced and highly motivated Security System Architect to secure next-generation satellite systems and support ground infrastructure. Reporting to the Senior Director, System Architecture and Release Train, you will lead the integration of cybersecurity across the product lifecycle, ensuring security is embedded from concept and design through deployment and operations. As a member of the System Architecture team, as the Security Champion you will work closely with Segment Domain Architects, engineering teams, and Product Cybersecurity stakeholders to ensure cybersecurity requirements are effectively incorporated into system architectures and product designs. Acting as the bridge between system architecture and cybersecurity, you will champion secure-by-design principles, assess cyber risks, and guide architectural decisions that enhance the resilience and security of space, ground, network, and cloud-based systems. ## Key Responsibilities - A system architect with a deep hands-on understanding of development processes and the ability to enhance them to easily identify security risks within the products and remediate or mitigate the risks without compromising functionality and performance. - For satellite, ground segment, network, and cloud-based systems, define and maintain: - - common cybersecurity development architecture, - assist in translating security requirements into actionable items for the development teams, - ensure that the development teams have a consistent understanding of the required security paradigms, and can consider them at the needed development stages, - develop guidelines on best adoption practices and design principles in response to guidance from Product Cybersecurity and Governance, Risk and Compliance teams. - Act as a bridge between the development teams and the cybersecurity team. Partner with Segment Domain Architects to integrate security requirements into end-to-end system architectures and technical roadmaps. - Lead threat modeling, security risk assessments, and architecture reviews throughout the product lifecycle. - Evaluate vulnerabilities, support remediation efforts, and assess the effectiveness of implemented security controls. - Implement security verification strategies and review results from penetration testing, code analysis, fuzzing, and other security assessments. - Support DevSecOps practices and integration of automated security tooling into development and CI/CD pipelines. - Support the Operations teams in development of security monitoring, incident response, and recovery strategies for mission-critical systems. - Support technical interactions with customers, partners, and vendors on cybersecurity-related topics. Education & Experience - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. - 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity, system architecture with proven product development experience, product security, or embedded systems security. - Experience in aerospace, satellite communications, telecommunications, defense, or other mission-critical environments. - Experience securing embedded, networked, and cloud-native systems. - Certifications are considered an asset. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Strong understanding of various software systems architectures, secure communications, and cryptographic technologies. - Experience with satellite, terminal and ground system architectures and their associated cybersecurity challenges. - Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, and related compliance requirements. - Experience with security assessment tools and practices, including SAST, DAST, SCA, vulnerability management, and SIEM platforms. - Experience with Kubernetes, VMs, container security, service mesh architectures, PKI, Security devices,  and certificate lifecycle management. - Understanding of the cybersecurity threat landscape affecting space and telecommunications systems. - Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence architectural decisions across multidisciplinary teams. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the security, resilience, and mission assurance of our next-generation satellite and ground systems while enabling secure innovation across the Development organization. What Success Looks Like - Security is embedded into all major architectural and design decisions from concept through to deployment. - Mission-critical satellite and ground systems are designed with resilience against evolving cyber threats. - Engineering teams consistently adopt secure-by-design and DevSecOps practices. - Security requirements are effectively balanced with operational performance, mission objectives, and delivery timelines. - The organization maintains a cost-effective, strong security posture while enabling innovation across next-generation space systems. Organizational Impact This role serves as the cybersecurity architectural authority for satellite payload and ground system development, ensuring that security is treated as a foundational design requirement and strategic differentiator. Acts as a bridge between the Product cybersecurity team and the development teams. The Security System Architect will play a critical role in protecting mission integrity, safeguarding customer trust, and enabling secure growth of the organization's space and communications capabilities. The successful candidate must be able to work in Canada and obtain clearance under the Canadian Controlled Goods program (CGP). 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. ## About Telesat ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Telesat is a leading global satellite operator that designs, builds, and operates advanced satellite networks to deliver critical connectivity solutions for enterprise, government, telecom, maritime, and aeronautical customers. - **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) - **Headquarters**: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (with offices in Bethesda, US, and other global locations) - **Founded**: 1969 (often described as a "54-year-old start-up") - **Founders**: Not publicly available (established as a Canadian crown corporation originally) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Satellite Communications, Telecommunications, Space Infrastructure - **Target customers**: B2B, Enterprise, Government, Telecom operators, Maritime, Aeronautical, and Broadband service providers - **Mission or purpose statement**: Deliver critical satellite connectivity solutions that tackle today’s most complex communications challenges, connecting the unconnected and expanding the reach of transformational technologies. ## Products & Services - **Geostationary (GEO) Satellite Fleet**: A state-of-the-art global fleet of geostationary satellites providing reliable, high-capacity connectivity for broadcast, broadband, and enterprise customers. This is the legacy business generating current revenue. - **Telesat Lightspeed™ (LEO Network)**: A revolutionary Low Earth Orbit satellite network optimized for enterprise and government customers. Designed to provide ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity links with fibre-like speeds for telecom, government, maritime, and aeronautical applications. This is the company's primary growth initiative. - **Technical Consultation & Support Services**: Industry-leading technical expertise and consulting services provided to satellite operators, insurers, and other industry stakeholders globally. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: $655.4 million market cap (as of recent data) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of CAD $418M (LTM) / GEO Revenue guidance for 2026: C$300M-C$320M - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Publicly traded company; specific institutional investors not listed in search results. Key partners include telecom, government, and enterprise customers globally. - **Growth Signals**: - Developing Lightspeed, a next-gen LEO network with 156+ enterprise-class satellites, fully funded for global service (US$3.8B). - GEO backlog of C$800M and LEO backlog of C$1.1B (Q1 2026). - Headcount growth of +14.6% YoY (+133 people), now employing 575 people. - Identified 4,500+ enterprise and government accounts globally for Lightspeed go-to-market. - IPO in 2021. ## Competitive Advantages - **50+ Years of Heritage**: A "54-year-old start-up" with decades of industry-leading engineering excellence and reliability, combined with a disruptive, innovative culture. - **Dual-Architecture Strategy**: Operates both a mature, cash-flowing GEO fleet and a next-gen LEO network (Lightspeed), providing stability and a future growth engine. - **Enterprise & Government Focus**: Lightspeed is specifically designed for the high-reliability, mission-critical needs of enterprise and government customers (a $320B addressable market), differentiating it from consumer-focused LEO constellations. - **Established Customer Relationships**: Long-standing, collaborative partnerships with customers globally, providing deep market knowledge and a strong sales channel. ## Strategic Focus - **Lightspeed Deployment**: The primary strategic priority is the launch and operationalization of the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network, targeting global service. - **Revenue Transition**: Managing the transition from legacy GEO broadcast/broadband revenue to high-growth LEO enterprise and government revenue. - **Market Expansion**: Leveraging the Lightspeed network to capture a share of the $650B LEO addressable market, with a specific focus on telecom, government, maritime, and aeronautical verticals. - **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring brilliant, inspired people to bring the Lightspeed network to life and continue innovating. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as collaborative, customer-centric, and innovative. The company values openness, honesty, and integrity. It celebrates diversity and supports community involvement through volunteerism and STEM initiatives. - **Work Environment**: Collaborative office spaces designed to foster teamwork and creativity. Remote options are available for some roles (e.g., Account Executive, Government Business Development Northern Europe is listed as remote). - **Notable Perks & Benefits**: - Highly competitive salaries with performance-based compensation and annual bonuses. - Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. - Parental and family leave benefits. - Generous paid time off, holidays, and flex days. - Retirement and pension plans with company matching. - Employee discount programs, social outings, and team-building events. - **Engineering Culture**: A strong legacy of engineering excellence. Employees work on one of the most ambitious communications challenges in history (Lightspeed). Co-op and internship programs are available for early career talent to learn from industry experts. ## Sources 1. [Telesat.com - Careers](https://www.telesat.com/careers/) 2. [Telesat.com - About Us](https://www.telesat.com/about-us/) 3. [LinkedIn - Telesat](https://linkedin.com/company/telesat.com) 4. [Telesat.com - Jobs](https://www.telesat.com/careers/jobs/) 5. 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