---
title: 'Senior Manager, GEO Spacecraft Operations Engineering at Telesat'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-geo-spacecraft-operations-engineering-telesat-ottawa-p43vh6n9bhqe'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Senior Manager, GEO Spacecraft Operations Engineering at Telesat

- **Company:** Telesat
- **Location:** Ottawa, Canada
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/telesat/2a2868ac-a482-4cf1-a1e1-4b14ec329fb9

## 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

Role Overview: The Senior Manager, GEO Satellite Operations Engineering will have overall responsibility for management oversight of technical personnel supporting the Satellite Engineering and Flight Dynamics operations activities of Telesat’s in-orbit fleet of geostationary satellites. As such this role is fully responsible for ensuring the health all spacecraft subsystems, the effective maintenance of satellite orbits and assurance of fleet-wide space situational awareness in order to maximize transponder availability and customer business needs on a 24/7 basis. The incumbent will be responsible for managing a highly specialized technical team including assigning, scheduling and ensuring proper completion of duties. This oversight includes items such as; assigning spacecraft responsibility, maneuver planning or checking roles, seasonal spacecraft adjustments, on-call duty scheduling, timeliness of spacecraft activities, maneuvers or reports and any special projects deemed essential to ensuring business continuity. In addition to delegating assignments and managing the execution, the Senior Manager  will serve as a technical liaison to guide implementation, ensuring compliance with Telesat’s operational standards.  This includes, on an as required basis, engineering oversight of all resources assigned to each satellite bus type.  For technical discussions, impacting fleet operations, the Sr Manager, GEO Satellite Operations will be the primary facilitator, ensuring proper expertise remains available to ensure thorough understanding and execution of all operational tasks for the effective and safe control of all satellites. When necessary, external or manufacturer consultation may be required.

Main Responsibilities Personnel Management Responsibilities:

- Lead, mentor and develop the Satellite Operations Engineering Team.
- Assign Spacecraft and Duty assignments to individuals ensuring a balanced work load for the group.
- Maintain a callout list to ensure the SCC always has access to resources in an emergency or to respond to a question.
- Ensure assigned work is completed in a timely manner and accurate (maneuvers, reports etc).
- Track performance of all projects to make sure they are proceeding to plan.
- Provide performance and career developmental feedback to employees.
- Recruit, onboard and retain technical talent.

Technical Management Responsibilities:

- Mentor all engineers on all tasks or questions as needed.
- Ensure engineers understand all requirements for each spacecraft assigned.
- Define requirements for any special studies required and review results once complete.
- Design new employee training plans to get them up to speed in an efficient manner.
- Review new technical programs with the team (inclined ops, anomaly response) to keep everyone up to speed.
- Periodically review technical performance and update existing processes and procedures to ensure satellite capability is maximized.
- Review all current reports and ensure spacecraft are maintained appropriately.
- Have new reports implemented as needs arise.
- Work with engineers to ensure all procedures are followed properly.
- Initiate team meetings to discuss any needed changes to any procedures.
- Review existing process and procedures and implement new ones as the needs of the business and the status of the fleet evolve.
- Develop specialized procedures for anomaly responses.
- Optimize spacecraft operations in inclined orbits to extend its operational life.
- Response to business or customer needs (antenna moves, collocation, new tasks).

Education and Experience required:

- Bachelor or Masters in Science or Engineering
- 10+ years Spacecraft Operations and Engineering experience with more 2+ years of management experience desired

Experience with the following:

- Managing both short- and long-term spacecraft operations, including maintaining spacecraft health, safety, and position.
- Maximizing spacecraft capabilities and mission lifetime through effective management of power, fuel, inclined-orbit operations, and other spacecraft resources.
- Developing, refining, and implementing spacecraft operations procedures.
- Leading operational adjustments in response to anomalies, spacecraft changes, and evolving customer or business requirements.

## #LI-LG1

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. [Telesat.com - Investor Presentation (May 2026)](https://www.telesat.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Investor-Presentation-May-2026-1.pdf)

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