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 Embedded Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the design and implementation of embedded systems across NordSpace's rocket and space systems divisions, from flight avionics to ground support and test equipment. You will work on the full embedded stack: participating in system architecture, writing and validating firmware, and integrating software with real hardware in a hands-on environment. You will work closely with electrical and systems engineers, and are expected to be as comfortable with a logic analyzer on the bench as you are in a code editor.
Core responsibilities
- Participate in the architecture and design of embedded systems, including microcontroller and processor selection, peripheral integration, and communication bus design (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.).
- Write, test, and maintain firmware in C/C++ for embedded targets, including bare-metal and RTOS-based systems.
- Develop and integrate device drivers, HAL layers, and middleware for sensors, actuators, and communication interfaces.
- Support hardware bring-up and debugging of new embedded platforms, working closely with electrical engineers from PCB delivery through to functional validation.
- Design and implement software for ground support and test equipment, including data acquisition systems, hardware-in-the-loop setups, and automated test benches.
- Apply and advocate for software quality practices appropriate to safety-critical contexts: coding standards, static analysis, unit testing, and code review.
- Document firmware architecture, interface definitions, and test results clearly and consistently.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, mechatronics, or a closely related field.
- 0–2 years of professional experience; internships and co-ops count.
- Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded targets; experience writing firmware beyond coursework projects.
- Hands-on experience with at least one RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX, or similar) and familiarity with real-time scheduling concepts.
- Comfortable working at the hardware-software interface: reading datasheets and schematics, using lab equipment to debug firmware, and diagnosing issues that span both domains.
- Demonstrable experience building embedded systems outside the classroom (engineering design teams, personal projects, research, or internships).
- Comfortable working in an environment where requirements shift, timelines are tight, and the answer isn't always in the documentation.
- Genuine passion for space exploration and a desire to work on systems that operate in extreme and safety-critical environments.
- Familiarity with the STM32 ecosystem, including STM32CubeIDE, HAL/LL drivers, and more is an asset.
- Familiarity with safety-critical software development practices or standards (DO-178C, IEC 61508, MISRA C, or similar) is an asset.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing or automated test frameworks for embedded systems is an asset.
- Exposure to fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) concepts for aerospace or other high-reliability applications is an asset.
- Experience with version control (Git) and CI workflows for embedded projects is an asset.
- Experience in a leadership role on an engineering design team 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
[email protected].
