Lead Systems Engineer, Launch Program

NordSpace ( ) is a Canadian startup with the mission to develop Canada's first sovereign space launch and end-to-end space missions capability. With divisions ranging from rocket propulsion and spaceports, to satellite development and planetary robotics, NordSpace is driven to do everything it takes to bring space closer to Earth. As the Launch Program Director at NordSpace, you will be leading the development of Canada's first orbital class launch vehicle, to be launched from NordSpace's Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland and Labrador.
RoleThe Lead Systems Engineer owns cross-functional planning and execution for the launch program at a systems engineering level, ensuring work meets the company’s technical requirements, risk posture, and overall business objectives. The role focuses on coordination of system requirements, unblocking teams, and coordinating dependencies to keep the cross-functional engineering program on track from early design through launch operations.
Reports to: CEO.
Works closely with: Lead Project Manager, System Engineering Leads (structures, propulsion, avionics, integration, test, manufacturing, ground systems), Launch Product Owner, Finance, Supply chain, and Operations.
Accountability: Overall coordination of scope, requirements, performance targets, schedule, risks, and change orders across launch program engineering teams.
Core Responsibilities
Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams to achieve design, build, test, and launch readiness milestones, with clear entry/exit criteria for each phase/sprint.
Create and manage system- and program-level requirements into clear work plans, task breakdowns, and deliverables schedule in collaboration with engineering leads.
Maintain requirements, configuration and interface control documents. Work with engineering to track requirement compliance and verification status against the launch program’s technical baseline.
Run phase-gate reviews and design reviews. Ensure engineering decisions, changes, and action items are clearly documented, communicated to stakeholders, and followed through to completion.
Support and enforce change control processes for requirements, designs, and major scope changes. Coordinate with stakeholders to assess and communicate impacts of engineering changes on schedule, budget and risks before implementation.
Track issues and non-conformances to closure, coordinating root‑cause analysis and corrective actions where needed.
Maintain a living risk register covering technical, schedule, cost, supplier, and regulatory risks for the launch program scope. Ensure each risk has an owner, mitigation plan, triggers, and contingency, and drive regular risk reviews with engineering and leadership.
Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and data‑driven decision‑making across the program.
Facilitate constructive resolution of conflicts between teams when priorities, resources, or technical approaches are misaligned, keeping focus on program objectives.
Model disciplined execution while remaining flexible to iterate plans as new test data, customer inputs, or regulatory constraints emerge.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master’s preferred (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related field) from an accredited institution.
10+ years of hands‑on systems engineering experience, with at least 3+ years of project management experience, from preferred industries: commercial space launch, aerospace & defence, oil & gas, chemical manufacturing, automotive, or shipbuilding.
Strong grasp of systems engineering lifecycle processes, including requirements derivation, architecture definition, interface management, integration, verification & validation, and configuration control, applied to complex hardware/software systems.
Proven experience managing system requirements, interfaces, and technical baselines across complex, multi‑disciplinary programs. Structured, analytical problem solving approach, using data and traceable rationale to resolve technical and programmatic issues under pressure.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate and influence cross‑functional teams (engineering, production, test, operations, supply chain) in a fast‑paced environment. Comfortable managing ambiguity and change in a fast‑paced environment, while maintaining discipline in requirements, configuration, and risk management.
Excellent facilitation and meeting management skills, including running technical reviews, design meetings, and cross‑functional coordination sessions to drive decisions and actions. Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, able to mediate technical disagreements and keep teams focused on mission success rather than siloed priorities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to clearly explain technical concepts, trade‑offs, and program status to both engineering teams and nontechnical stakeholders.
Proactive mindset: identifies blockers (technical, schedule, resource, or process) early and drives them to resolution to keep the program moving.
All roles are full‑time in‑person at our Markham, Ontario location or our St. John's, Newfoundland location. Occasional travel to Ottawa, Ontario and St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, will be required.
#J-18808-Ljbffr