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.
About the Role
As a Space Systems Engineering Intern, you will join NordSpace’s space systems division and work directly alongside engineers developing the structures, avionics, and software systems that power our satellites and space robots. This is a hands-on role: you will be expected to contribute meaningfully to real projects from day one, not to shadow or observe. We are looking for students who are self-driven, technically curious, and eager to build things that eventually leave the planet. We strongly prefer candidates available for 8-month terms and who are in their third year of study or beyond, but shorter terms may be considered.
Core Responsibilities
Students joining the space systems division will support one or multiple of the following areas.
Structures and mechanical systems
- Support the mechanical design of structural components for satellite and robotic platforms, including structures, brackets, and mechanisms.
- Assist with CAD modelling and drawings for manufactured or procured parts.
- Assemble prototypes and various ground support equipment for environmental testing.
Avionics and electrical systems
- Assist in the design and assembly of avionics hardware, including PCB-level work and harness fabrication.
- Support electrical system integration: power budgeting, signal routing, and interface verification between subsystems.
- Contribute to testing and debugging of electronic assemblies using standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, bench power supplies).
Software and embedded systems
- Assist in the development and testing of embedded firmware or software for satellite or robotic subsystems.
- Support software integration and validation efforts: writing drivers, test scripts, or tooling to support hardware bring-up.
- Contribute to ground support software development, data parsing, and mission monitoring tooling.
Systems engineering and documentation
- Assist in maintaining requirements documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), and test procedures.
- Participate in design reviews and contribute to technical documentation that captures design decisions and test results.
- Ease the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software components for significant environmental tests.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, mechatronics, robotics engineering, or a closely related discipline; third year or above strongly preferred.
- Available for an 8-month internship term (strongly preferred); shorter terms are possible.
- Hands-on experience with engineering projects outside the classroom: engineering design teams, student satellite or rocketry clubs, personal builds, or research positions. We care more about what you’ve built than your GPA.
- Familiarity with at least one domain relevant to the role: mechanical design and CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, NX), PCB design and electronics (KiCad, Altium), or software and embedded systems (C/C++, Python, RTOS, Linux).
- Ability to work independently, ask questions, and navigate ambiguity.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to document your work clearly for a technical team.
- Genuine passion for space exploration and a desire to contribute to Canada’s future among the stars.
Nice to Have
- Experience in a leadership role on an engineering design team (technical lead, project manager, subsystem lead, etc.).
- Exposure to systems engineering concepts: requirements management, V&V processes, interface definition, or FMEA.
- Familiarity with space-specific constraints: mass and power budgeting, radiation tolerance, thermal management, or launch environment requirements.
- Experience with version control (Git), CI pipelines, or collaborative engineering workflows.
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] (mailto:
[email protected]).
