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 an Electrical & Embedded Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in prototyping and developing flight-rated avionics for NordSpace's satellites and robotic platforms destined for space and extraterrestrial bodies. From schematic capture and PCB layout through firmware development and bench testing, you will own the full lifecycle development of embedded avionics hardware and software. In a small, tightly integrated team, you will also support the broader Space Systems segment wherever mechanical, electrical, and software systems intersect, bringing hands-on versatility alongside deep electrical engineering expertise. This role requires someone with vision, leadership, and a relentless work ethic that goes far beyond the norm.

Core Responsibilities

Electrical Design & Prototyping:

• Design, build, and test PCB prototypes in a lab environment, iterating rapidly from concept through functional validation to support mission development timelines.
• Execute schematic capture and implement PCB layouts using Altium, KiCad, or OrCAD, including the creation of component symbols and footprints.
• Perform signal integrity simulations and oversee implementation into layout of high-speed digital and high-frequency analog signal paths.
• Specify and select electronic components (processors, power regulators, sensors, connectors, passives) considering performance, availability, radiation tolerance, and mission environment constraints.

Embedded Firmware Development:

• Write embedded firmware (C/C++) for ARM-based microcontrollers (e.g., STM32), integrating with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS or NuttX.
• Develop and implement communication protocol drivers, sensor interfaces, power management routines, and control algorithms for avionics subsystems.
• Write clean, well-documented, and testable code suitable for eventual flight qualification, following embedded development best practices for safety-critical and resource-constrained systems.

Verification & Testing:

• Develop verification test plans and execute testing at the board and subsystem level, including functional, environmental, and performance characterization.
• Conduct bench testing using oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, logic analysers, and other lab instrumentation, documenting results and driving anomaly resolution.
• Support system-level integration and test activities, verifying electrical interfaces with mechanical, thermal, and software subsystems.

Full Lifecycle Product Development:

• Participate in every phase of product development: requirements definition, architecture and concept definition, detailed design, implementation, integration, characterization, and flight readiness review.
• Define control and monitoring requirements and contribute to algorithm definition for avionics and robotic subsystems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution; Master's or Ph.D. strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in electrical engineering focused on embedded systems, including PCB design and embedded firmware development.
• Demonstrated proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout using tools such as Altium, KiCad, or OrCAD, with experience taking designs from concept through fabrication and bring-up.
• Strong embedded programming skills in C/C++, with practical experience writing firmware for ARM-based microcontrollers and integrating with real-time operating systems.
• Working proficiency in Python for test automation, data analysis, scripting, or rapid prototyping.
• Familiarity with FPGA development (VHDL or Verilog) and DSP architectures is desired.
• Familiarity with RF modules and software-defined radios is desired.
• Experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, logic analysers, power supplies, signal generators) and the ability to independently debug and characterize hardware on the bench.
• Significant knowledge of and deep passion for the space industry, with an understanding of the unique constraints of designing electronics for space environments (radiation, thermal, vacuum, power budgets).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to conduct independent research, evaluate trade-offs, and drive technical decisions with limited oversight.
• Strong English written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document designs, test results, and technical rationale clearly for a multidisciplinary team.
• Results-oriented, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and brings initiative and creativity to a team building hardware that has never been built before.