Senior System Admin, Data Centres at Telesat

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Telesat Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Satellite, TelecommunicationsIndustries

Requirements

  • University degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or related stream
  • At least 7 years experience in the installation, configuration and operation of Linux-based environments (e.g. RedHat, Ubuntu)
  • At least 5 years experience in building out on-premise, secure data centre based hardware clusters (network, servers and storage)
  • Proven experience in the deployment and operation of hypervisors (VMware, KVM)
  • Strong experience with building and running large scale, high-available and fault-tolerant network infrastructure
  • Strong experience in the building and operation of dedicated, isolated infrastructure services such as DNS and NTP
  • Strong knowledge of IAM and access management strategies and tooling
  • Strong understanding and hands on experience in the daily administration of Linux
  • Experience leveraging scripts to build infrastructure (i.e. Bash, Python, Terraform)
  • Work under minimal supervision
  • Coordination with security team and network and infrastructure architects
  • Make decisions and recommendations requiring analysis and interpretation within established procedures
  • Familiarity with Kubernetes deployments considered an asset
  • Familiarity with SRE concepts considered an asset

Responsibilities

  • Build, test and operate the high-security infrastructure domain for satellite operations
  • Provide integration with other environments through various security zones and portals
  • Provide technical assistance to the applications and operations teams for hardware, operating systems, and hypervisors
  • Develop and operate a highly secure backup process
  • Build out, operate and support various Basic Infrastructure Services (DNS, DHCP, NTP, etc)
  • Develop automation scripting for environments and provide documentation
  • Follow and document operational processes including Change Management
  • Manage log aggregation, monitoring and alerting as required
  • Proactively plan and determine patching strategies, high-availability, upgrades and updates
  • Manage and monitor all local storage platforms
  • Provide operational support on a 24x7 basis, on-call

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

LinuxSystem AdministrationNetworkingSecurityAccess ManagementBackupsHigh AvailabilityDisaster RecoveryTroubleshooting

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type and does it include benefits?

This is a full-time hire (FTE) position that includes benefits.

Where is this position located and what is the work arrangement?

The position will begin at Telesat's headquarters in Ottawa and transition to the Gatineau facility later in 2026. It appears to be an on-site role at these facilities with no mention of remote work.

What experience and skills are required for this role?

Candidates need a university degree or equivalent in Computer Science or related field, at least 7 years in installation, configuration, and operation of Linux-based environments (e.g., RedHat, Ubuntu), and at least 5 years in building out on-premise, secure data centre infrastructure. Senior-level troubleshooting, problem-solving, automation scripting, and experience with high-availability, backups, and infrastructure services like DNS, DHCP, NTP are also essential.

What kind of support is expected in this role?

The role requires providing operational support on a 24x7 basis, including on-call duties.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Systems Administrator position?

A strong candidate will have 7+ years of Linux experience (RedHat/Ubuntu), 5+ years in secure on-premise data centers, senior troubleshooting skills, and expertise in automation, high-availability, backups, and infrastructure services, along with a relevant degree.

Telesat

Global satellite operator providing connectivity solutions

About Telesat

Telesat operates in the satellite communications industry, providing connectivity solutions to various sectors including government, telecommunications, and enterprises. The company utilizes both geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to ensure reliable global communications. Telesat's products include satellite capacity and consulting services, which are offered through long-term contracts and service agreements. A key feature of Telesat is its Lightspeed network, which uses advanced LEO satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity. This focus on diverse applications, such as inflight connectivity and maritime services, sets Telesat apart from its competitors, as it addresses complex communication challenges across multiple industries.

Ottawa, CanadaHeadquarters
1969Year Founded
$30.7MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Automotive & Transportation, Consulting, AerospaceIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options

Risks

Competition from SpaceX's Starlink could impact Telesat's market share.
Delays in Lightspeed's launch could lead to financial penalties or contract losses.
Reliance on government funding exposes Telesat to political and economic risks.

Differentiation

Telesat leverages both GEO and LEO satellites for comprehensive global communications.
The Lightspeed network offers high-speed, low-latency connectivity solutions.
Telesat serves diverse sectors, including maritime, aviation, and oil and gas.

Upsides

Growing demand for satellite internet boosts Telesat's Lightspeed project prospects.
Hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks offer Telesat integration opportunities for enhanced connectivity.
5G integration with satellite networks creates new business opportunities for Telesat.

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