Purpose-driven job opportunities are currently available for engineers interested in working on the innovative Canadarm3 space program.
Mention Canadarm and Canadians tend to smile with a sense of recognition and satisfaction. This iconic homegrown space technology — a robotic arm that was used on NASA’s Space Shuttle for 30 years — is a well-known symbol of national pride for Canadians.
The original Canadarm debuted in 1981 and flew on 90 space shuttle missions before being retired in 2011. The Canadarm sealed Canada’s reputation as a leader in technological innovation and led to the creation of the Canadarm2, which has been operating on the International Space Station for over 20 years.
If you’re an engineer with an interest in technology, space, and robotics, this could be the career opportunity of a lifetime.
The latest incarnation — Canadarm3 — is currently in development in Brampton, ON. The project is an intriguing initiative for Canadians to watch come to life, and it offers a multitude of exciting opportunities for engineers.
The Canadian company leading the charge on Canadarm3
The company behind this exciting initiative is MDA, a leading robotics and space operations firm. Serving the world from its Canadian home and global offices, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems, and geointelligence pioneer with a 50-year story of firsts on and above the Earth. With over 2,000 employees across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., MDA is leading the charge toward viable Moon colonies, enhanced Earth observation, communication in a hyper-connected world, and more.
Enabled by its Canadarm, Canadarm2, Dextre, and TriDARTM technology, the company boasts 24,000 hours of direct robotic operations experience and over three million hours of engineering support to on-orbit robotic operations on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station — including over 100 free flyer vehicle and satellite captures, over 1,000 grasping operations, and eight autonomous docking operations — all with a 100 percent mission success rate.
Photo courtesy of NASA
Designing the next-generation Canadarm
MDA’s latest project is Canadarm3, the company’s — and Canada’s — most ambitious space exploration project yet. The next-generation AI-enabled robotic system will operate aboard the NASA-led Lunar Gateway, a deep space outpost scheduled to orbit the Moon beginning in the mid-2020s. It will support both human and robotic missions to the lunar surface, serve as a science laboratory, and act as a proving ground for exploration missions into deeper space. Canadarm3 will autonomously plan and control its operations, enabled by AI and advanced sensing. MDA is currently hard at work developing the Canadarm3 in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
“We’re proud to partner once again with the CSA to contribute world-leading Canadian technology and operational expertise to an international space exploration endeavour,” says Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA. “In addition to delivering the most advanced space robotics system ever built, the Canadarm3 program will serve as a catalyst for economic and socioeconomic benefits in Canada, and will inspire a new generation of Canadians to think about what can truly be accomplished here in Canada.”
Exciting opportunities for engineers interested in technology, space, and robotics
With a track record of making space ambitions come true, MDA enables highly-skilled people to continually push boundaries, tackle big challenges, and imagine solutions that inspire and endure to change the world for the better, on the ground and in the stars.
While MDA has studied Canadarm3 early mission concept studies since 2014, it’s now ramping up the project following its award of the program Phase A contract in late 2020, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to deliver Canadarm. MDA is currently busy assembling a world-class team of engineers and program managers to undertake the design and build this next generation of robotics. The company has job openings for a variety of systems, software, mechanical, and electrical engineering roles at its headquarters in Brampton, ON, and is especially interested in engineers who are also leaders and can excel in working closely with multidisciplinary teams.
If you’re an engineer with an interest in technology, space, and robotics, this could be the career opportunity of a lifetime. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work alongside experts in the field of space robotics and in a highly-collaborative environment. The Canadarm3 design process also employs some of the latest design tools and techniques, including additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and augmented reality, making it an incredible opportunity for learning and growth.
Exploring job opportunities in the growing space sector
The space sector has entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity, and collaboration, MDA is comprised of engineers, marketers, program managers, and much more, all of whom are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.
It’s truly a thrilling time for Canada’s space robotics industry, and the perfect time to join this rapidly-growing area.
Current Job Openings
