Manager Of Health, Safety, And Environment

Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)Operations Full Time Markham, ON $90,000 - $110,000 CAD per year
NordSpace( is a Canadian startup with the mission to advance life on Earth, from space.NordSpaceis committed to extremely rapid innovation and development of the most ambitious aerospace projects with the most ambitious team. With divisions spanning everything fromspace robotics to satellites to rockets, NordSpace is driven to bring space closer to Earth and inspire generations of space explorers.
About the Role:
This Manager of HSE role is a hands-on individual contributor role who owns and leads NordSpace's Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) function across all facilities. Operating in a demanding space-systems R&D and manufacturing environment — with energetics, cryogenics, high-pressure systems, reactive metal powders, and controlled goods — this role sets HSE strategy, builds and matures the management system, and holds accountability for regulatory compliance, workplace risk reduction, and the protection of NordSpace's people, physical assets, and intellectual property. The person in this role shall bring the experience to advise senior leadership, drive proactive safety culture and practices across the team in a collaborative manner, and be hands on to make sure safety and security measures are always active and followed. Occasional travel between NordSpace's sites in ON and NL will be required.
HSE Management
Own the enterprise HSE management system and set the multi-year HSE strategy, objectives, and roadmap in alignment with company growth.
Develop, maintain, and mature formal management systems, establish and report on HSE KPIs (leading and lagging indicators) to senior leadership and the board;
drive continuous improvement against targets.
Build, lead, and mentor staff on HSE culture as the organization grows;
coach and hold accountable managers and supervisors across the internal responsibility system.
Serve as the primary HSE point of contact for regulators, insurers, auditors, and law enforcement bodies.
Health & Safety Program Management
Direct the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of H&S policies and programs in accordance with OHSA and its regulations (e.G., O. Reg. 851 – Industrial Establishments, O. Reg. 297/13 – JHSC, WHMIS 2015).
Establish the framework for workplace inspections, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and risk assessments, and oversee their execution.
Own the incident-management process, leading serious/complex investigations and ensuring OHSA reporting requirements are met, including critical-injury reporting to the MLITSD.
Oversee injury/illness recordkeeping and WSIB claims management (Form 7 submissions, return-to-work planning) and manage the relationship with WSIB.
Chair and support the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), ensuring certified-member requirements are met.
Own emergency preparedness: response planning, fire drills, evacuation procedures, and spill response, including scenarios specific to energetics, cryogenics, and high-pressure systems.
Environmental Compliance & Sustainability
Hold accountability for Environmental Compliance Approvals and reporting under federal and provincial regulations.
Direct the handling, storage, labelling, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste per federal and provincial regulations.
Manage waste diversion and reporting obligations and shape the organization's broader environmental and sustainability posture.
Training, Culture & Regulatory Audit
Own the HSE training program aligned with Ontario requirements: WHMIS, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Forklift, Health & Safety Awareness training, and others as required.
Drive a proactive, accountable safety culture through leadership engagement, toolbox talks, JHSC involvement, and visible executive sponsorship.
Stay ahead of OHSA, MLITSD, MECP, WSIB, and CGP/PSPC regulatory change and ensure organizational readiness.
Lead internal audits and manage external MLITSD/MECP inspections and any regulatory findings to closure.
Maintain the integrity of SDS libraries, permits, and compliance documentation.
Qualifications
Diploma or degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field.
7+ years of progressive HSE experience in a heavy-industry environment — oil & gas, aerospace/defence, energetics, chemical, or advanced manufacturing — including experience at a lead, supervisory, or managerial level with accountability for a full program or site.
Deep working knowledge of Ontario OHSA, WHMIS 2015, WSIB processes, and environmental legislation (EPA, O. Reg. 347, CEPA). Proven track record leading incident investigations, risk assessments, and audits.
Experience building or maturing formal HSE management systems strongly preferred.
Demonstrated leadership: able to influence at all levels, coach supervisors and executives alike, and manage multiple compliance programs concurrently. Comfortable engaging with regulatory and law enforcement bodies.
Split between office and on-the-floor presence in a manufacturing environment. Occasional travel between sites will be required.
Valid ON G-class vehicle license (or equivalent) with clean driving record.
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 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 View email address on ca.hrm.tc.
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