Chief Program Engineer

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 on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence 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®, seven years in a row! As the Program Chief Engineer, you are the senior technical authority for the spacecraft program and the single point of technical accountability for mission success. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Satellite Systems, you provide technical leadership across all engineering disciplines to ensure the spacecraft is designed, built, verified, and operated as an integrated system. You establish the technical direction, drive engineering execution, make timely decisions, conduct rigorous technical reviews, and communicate effectively with engineering teams, executive leadership, customers, and suppliers. The Chief Engineer is accountable for the overall technical success of the mission. You are responsible for maintaining technical integrity, driving engineering progress, ensuring design maturity, balancing performance, reliability, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and mission risk, and delivering flight-ready spacecraft that enable successful mission execution. Key Responsibilities: Please note: Though this role provides a Hybrid flexibility, it will require an on-site work presence at Kepler's Toronto HQ Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership across Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, RF, GNC, Payload, AIT, Manufacturing, Operations, and Product AssuranceDrive engineering convergence toward a technically coherent spacecraftEnsure engineering activities remain aligned with mission objectives Engineering Execution: Drive engineering progress and maintain technical momentumIdentify and remove technical roadblocksEnsure timely technical decision-making and accountability across engineering disciplines Design Reviews & Technical Oversight: Lead rigorous technical reviews across all spacecraft subsystemsChallenge assumptions, analyses, margins, interfaces, and verification evidenceLead design reviews, anomaly reviews, and readiness reviews Decision Making: Make timely, evidence-based technical decisionsBalance performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, reliability, and mission riskRemove technical barriers or blockers to maintain engineering momentum Communication & Alignment: Communicate technical direction clearly and consistently across the engineering organizationTranslate complex technical issues into concise recommendations for executive leadershipRepresent Engineering during customer reviews, supplier meetings, executive briefings, and governance boardsEnsure decisions, assumptions, risks, and actions are clearly documented and communicatedBuild alignment across Engineering, Program Management, Product Assurance, Manufacturing, Operations, and executive leadership Engineering Excellence: Mentor senior engineers and future technical leadersContinuously raise the standard of technical rigor, engineering reviews, and engineering excellenceDrive continuous improvement, platform standardization, and lessons learned Required Skills & Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline15+ years of experience developing complex spacecraft or aerospace systemsExperience serving as the technical authority or senior technical leader for at least one spacecraft development programExtensive knowledge of spacecraft architecture, integration, verification, manufacturing, qualification, launch, and mission operationsExceptional technical judgment, communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills Bonus Points: Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, or equivalent technical leadership experienceConstellation or multi-spacecraft program experienceExperience across multiple spacecraft disciplinesMission assurance, Integration and test campaign, launch campaign, and on-orbit operations experienceExperience driving engineering standardization and AI-enabled engineering workflows 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 accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs. At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.