Senior Additive Manufacturing Technician

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
The Advanced Manufacturing Technician owns the hands-on operation of NordSpace's metal additive manufacturing capability, with primary focus on Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) systems. This role is responsible for the full build cycle, from file preparation and machine setup through printing, powder management, part removal, post-processing, and inspection. Working closely with design engineers and the broader manufacturing team, this technician will develop and refine build processes, maintain equipment, manage metal powder inventory and safety, and produce flight-quality metal components for the Tundra launch vehicle and space systems programs. 

Core Responsibilities

• Operate LPBF metal 3D printing systems through the full build cycle: file review, machine setup, powder loading, atmosphere preparation, print execution, in-process monitoring (melt pool, recoater, oxygen, thermal), and build removal. Prepare build files with design engineers, reviewing part orientation, support strategy, nesting, and laser parameters. 
• Develop, document, and refine build procedures and process parameters for different alloys (Inconel, titanium, stainless steel, aluminium) in collaboration with engineering. Support process development including test coupon builds, parameter optimization, density and microstructure evaluation, and mechanical test specimen fabrication. 
• Powder Management & Safety: Manage the full metal powder lifecycle: receiving, storage, sieving, recycling, sampling, lot tracking, and disposal. Maintain strict adherence to powder handling safety protocols including PPE, inert atmosphere management, static discharge prevention, and fire/explosion hazard mitigation for reactive metal powders. Track usage, recyclability metrics, and lot traceability for material certification. 
• Post-Processing & Inspection: Perform or coordinate post-build operations including stress relief, heat treatment, part and support removal, surface finishing, bead blasting, and machining preparation. Conduct dimensional inspection using calipers, CMM, or optical scanning, documenting results against engineering drawings and GD&T specifications. 
• Equipment Maintenance & Workspace: Perform preventive maintenance on LPBF systems (laser optics, recoater calibration, filters, gas systems, build chamber conditioning), coordinating with the Facility & Equipment Manager and OEM support for major service events. Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant additive manufacturing workspace. 
• Quality & Documentation: Maintain full build traceability with machine logs, powder lot records, build parameters, monitoring data, and post-processing records in accordance with NordSpace's quality management system. Collaborate with QA and engineers to disposition non-conformances and implement corrective actions. 

Qualifications 

• Diploma or certificate in Manufacturing Technology, Materials Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Metallurgy, or a related program. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered. 
• 4+ years of hands-on experience operating metal additive manufacturing systems, with direct LPBF experience strongly preferred. Experience with other metal AM processes (DED, EBM, binder jetting) is an asset. 
• Practical knowledge of metal powder handling, safety, and management, including experience with reactive alloys (copper, titanium, aluminium). Familiarity with build preparation software. 
• Working knowledge of metallurgy fundamentals relevant to AM (heat treatment, residual stress, porosity, microstructure) and post-processing of metal AM parts including support removal, surface finishing, and dimensional inspection. 
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings with GD&T, material specifications, and process documents. Familiarity with aerospace quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001) is an asset. 
• Strong attention to detail, disciplined approach to safety and procedural compliance, and commitment to build quality and material traceability. Comfortable working with fine metal powders and PPE requirements. 
• Results-oriented, brings initiative, and thrives in an environment where additive manufacturing processes are being developed and qualified alongside the hardware they produce.