Propulsion Test Engineer

NordSpace Corp; Markham; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

NordSpace Corp in Markham, Ontario is seeking a Propulsion Test Engineer to plan, execute, and analyze hot-fire and cold-flow testing of liquid rocket engines and components. You will work at the test stand from planning to post-test analysis, combining propulsion engineering with hands-on hardware operations.

The role requires rigorous technical judgment, experience with data acquisition and instrumentation, and willingness to work at a remote test site and be on-call for campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering.
• 2+ years of hands-on testing experience in propulsion or related lab environments.
• Strong data analysis and instrumentation experience.
• Familiarity with cryogenic propellant handling or hazardous materials operations.
• Ability to read P&IDs and understand fluid system schematics.
• Willingness to work at a remote test site and be on-call.

Responsibilities

• Develop test plans, procedures, and hazard analyses for tests.
• Design test article instrumentation and data acquisition requirements.
• Support test stand design and facility modifications.
• Lead or support TRRs and safety reviews.
• Serve as test conductor monitoring real-time data and go/no-go decisions.
• Operate ground support equipment and troubleshoot systems.
• Perform post-test data reduction and correlation with predictions.
• Coordinate with design teams to translate results into feedback.
• Maintain test stand configuration control and documentation.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Data analysis

P&ID reading

Remote/on-call

Cryogenic handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, electrical engineering

Tools

DAQ systems

Sensors instrumentation

Job description

Engineering - Launch Systems Full Time Markham, ON $65,000 - $80,000 CAD per year

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 Propulsion Test Engineer you will plan, execute, and analyze hot-fire and cold-flow testing of liquid rocket engines and engine components. You'll work at the test stand — from test planning and hazard analysis through data acquisition, real-time test conduct, and post-test analysis. This role sits at the intersection of propulsion engineering and hands‑on hardware operations, requiring both rigorous technical judgment and comfort working around high‑energy, hazardous propellant systems.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop test plans, test procedures, and pre-test hazard/risk analyses for hot-fire, cold-flow, and component‑level testing.
• Design and specify test article instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, strain, vibration, acoustic) and data acquisition requirements.
• Support test stand design, propellant system design, and facility modifications for new test campaigns.
• Lead or support test readiness reviews (TRRs) and safety reviews prior to hot-fire operations.
• Serve as test conductor or console engineer during test operations, monitoring real-time data and making go/no-go calls.
• Operate and troubleshoot ground support equipment (GSE): propellant feed systems, pressurization systems, purge/vent systems, igniters.
• Perform post-test data reduction, analysis, and correlation against pre-test predictions.
• Investigate test anomalies, off-nominal results, and hardware failures; support root-cause corrective action.
• Coordinate with propulsion design, turbomachinery, combustion devices, structures, and safety teams to translate test results into design feedback.
• Maintain test stand configuration control, calibration records, and test documentation.
• Support cryogenic propellant handling and hazardous commodity operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test processes, procedures, and facility capability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, electrical engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience working in testing environments in industry. Rocket propulsion or gas turbine testing is considered ideal, but other lab or heavy industry (oil & gas, mining, nuclear, chemical engineering) environments are transferable. Internships and academic rocketry/test programs count toward this, experience gained through university design teams (such as rocketry or FSAE) and internships is acceptable.
• Understanding of liquid rocket propulsion fundamentals (combustion, cycles, propellant systems)
• Experience with data acquisition systems and instrumentation (pressure transducers, thermocouples, flow meters, strain gauges)
• Foundational understanding of requirements, interfaces, configuration control, and verification & validation, with a willingness to learn on the job.
• Familiarity with pressure systems, cryogenic fluid handling, or hazardous materials operations
• Strong analytical skills; comfortable working with MATLAB, Python, or similar for data analysis
• Ability to read P&IDs and understand fluid system schematics
• Willingness to work at a remote test site and be on-call for test campaigns, including irregular hours
• Practical experience configuring and utilizing Data Acquisition (DAQ) systems and sensors.
• A structured, detail‑oriented mindset with strong communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to collaborate closely with the team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience collaborating with multi‑disciplinary engineers to develop comprehensive test plans 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 [e-mail].