Infrastructure Engineer

About NordSpace 

NordSpace (https://nordspace.com) is a Canadian startup with the mission to advance life on Earth, from space. NordSpace is committed to extremely rapid innovation and development of the most ambitious aerospace projects with the most ambitious team. With divisions spanning everything from space robotics to satellites to rockets, NordSpace is driven to bring space closer to Earth and inspire generations of space explorers. 

Role purpose: 
As an Infrastructure Engineer you are responsible for designing, building and commissioning the ground infrastructure of a spaceport — launch pads, propellant storage and delivery systems, flame trenches, vehicle integration facilities, power and utility networks, and the roads and structures that tie it all together. As an Infrastructure Engineer, you'll design, build, and commission mission-critical infrastructure that must perform flawlessly under extreme thermal, acoustic, and pressure loads during operations.

This is hands-on, high-consequence engineering: your work will directly support high value launch operations, so precision, rigor, and a safety-first mindset are required.

The role is based in St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador, and you may be required to travel and work in Markham Ontario from time to time.

The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and wants full lifecycle ownership.  

Core responsibilities 

• Design and oversee construction of critical spaceport infrastructure, including launch pad structures, flame diverters/trenches, propellant storage and transfer systems.
• Design and work with contractors to develop civil, structural, mechanical, and utility designs that meet aerospace, industrial, and local building code requirements.
• Lead site development efforts: grading, foundations, drainage, roads, and underground utility routing.
• Specify and coordinate installation of high-pressure gas systems, cryogenic fluid systems, fire suppression, and blast-resistant structures.
• Manage infrastructure readiness reviews, hazard analyses, and compliance documentation for range safety and regulatory approval.
• Collaborate with propulsion, launch operations, and safety teams to ensure infrastructure supports vehicle processing and launch timelines.
• Oversee contractors, vendors, and construction crews from design through commissioning and acceptance testing.
• Troubleshoot infrastructure issues during test campaigns and launch operations.
• Maintain as-built documentation, maintenance plans, and lifecycle management for all infrastructure systems.
• Support environmental, safety, and regulatory audits and range safety requirements.
• Design, build and commission test stands used for hot fire testing and validating rocket engines. Design the load path from test stand to pad, taking into account static and overturning loads.
• Own the structural and mechanical design of thrust frames, engine mounts and load bearing hardware that take the full force of a hot fire campaign.
• Lead the end to end commissioning of test stands, including pressure and leak checks, cold flow testing and verification of all safety features.
• Follow all safety precautions and proactively identify risks and hazards when defining safe standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the test stands.
• Work closely with suppliers and vendors on custom hardware procurement when needed. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Structural or a closely related engineering discipline. 
• 3+ years of experience in heavy industrial, energy, oil & gas, aerospace, or defense infrastructure engineering.
• Experience with high-consequence, safety-critical infrastructure (pressure systems, cryogenics, structural loads under extreme conditions).
• Strong grasp of construction management, procurement, and field oversight. 
• Ability to work on-site in an active construction and launch environment, including outdoor and physically demanding conditions
• Strong background in fluid dynamics, heat transfer, combustion, and structural mechanics as applied to high pressure, high temperature hardware. 
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools for complex assemblies and detailed component design, and fluency with GD&T engineering drawings. Ability to create and interpret P&IDs and engineering drawings.
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools (e.g., FEA, CFD, analytical modeling) for structural, thermal, and fluid performance. 
• Ability to troubleshoot issues in the field.
• Proactive mindset: identifies blockers (technical, schedule, resource, or process) early and drives them to resolution to keep the program moving. 
• Excellent judgment under pressure and a demonstrated commitment to safety culture
• Licenced Professional Engineer is an asset.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Thank you to all who apply. Candidates who are successfully selected for an interview will be notified by email.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada and able to obtain and maintain a security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program (Defence Production Act) as a condition of their employment.

Compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion, based on job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, and education and/or training. NordSpace encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations.

NordSpace is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates; all hiring decisions are based on merit and job-related qualifications, without discrimination on any ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodations are available on request at any stage of the selection process — please contact careers@nordspace.com.