Aerospace engineer job Canada in 2026
Canada's aerospace sector employs over 90,000 people and contributes roughly C$25 billion to the national economy, making it the third-largest aerospace workforce globally behind the U.S. and France. If you are an aerospace engineer looking for work north of the border in 2026, the opportunities are concentrated in a handful of cities and employers that are worth knowing by name.
The Canadian aerospace job market right now
Canada's aerospace industry runs on two tracks: commercial aviation manufacturing (concentrated in Quebec) and space technology (spread between Ontario and Quebec). Both are hiring in 2026, though for different reasons.
On the commercial side, Bombardier, CAE, and Pratt & Whitney Canada anchor Montreal's aerospace corridor. These companies are ramping production after post-pandemic recovery, and they need structural, systems, and propulsion engineers to support new aircraft programs and engine development.
On the space side, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), MDA Space, and Telesat are the dominant employers. MDA is building Canadarm3 for the Lunar Gateway station, which is one of the most significant Canadian space contracts in a decade. Telesat is constructing its Lightspeed LEO satellite constellation. Both programs are driving hiring through 2026 and into 2027.
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) for aerospace engineers is 21310 (formerly 2146 before the 2021 NOC update). This code matters because it determines your eligibility for Express Entry immigration, provincial nominee programs, and certain government job postings. Aerospace engineering is listed on multiple provincial occupation-in-demand lists, which helps with immigration pathways.
Top employers and what they pay
Salary data for aerospace engineers in Canada varies by source, but the pattern is consistent: Montreal and Ottawa offer the most positions, while Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area pay slightly higher per role.
| Employer | Location | Focus Area | Salary Range (CAD) | Notable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDA Space | Brampton, ON / Montreal, QC | Satellite systems, robotics | C$80,000 - C$130,000 | Canadarm3, RADARSAT |
| Canadian Space Agency (CSA) | Longueuil, QC | Space science, mission ops | C$75,000 - C$120,000 | Lunar Gateway, JWST support |
| CAE | Montreal, QC | Simulation, training systems | C$75,000 - C$115,000 | Flight simulators, defense |
| Bombardier | Montreal, QC | Business jets | C$78,000 - C$125,000 | Global 7500/8000 |
| Pratt & Whitney Canada | Longueuil, QC | Turbine engines | C$80,000 - C$130,000 | PW800, PW1500G |
| Telesat | Ottawa, ON | Satellite communications | C$85,000 - C$135,000 | Lightspeed constellation |
| Magellan Aerospace | Winnipeg, MB / Mississauga, ON | Aerostructures, propulsion | C$70,000 - C$110,000 | Rocket engines, composites |
| L3Harris (Canada) | Montreal, QC / Toronto, ON | Defense electronics | C$82,000 - C$128,000 | WESCAM sensors |
The average across all levels is around C$85,595 per year. Entry-level positions with less than a year of experience average C$64,658, while engineers with 1-4 years land around C$74,303. Senior engineers with 10+ years and management responsibilities can push past C$140,000 at companies like MDA or Pratt & Whitney.
Salary by province and city
Where you work in Canada has a significant impact on both salary and opportunity volume.
| Province/City | Avg Salary (CAD) | Job Volume | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (Toronto/GTA) | C$104,402 | High | 100 (baseline) |
| Ontario (Ottawa) | C$95,000 | Medium | 85 |
| Quebec (Montreal) | C$82,000 | Highest | 75 |
| Quebec (Longueuil) | C$80,000 | Medium | 73 |
| Manitoba (Winnipeg) | C$75,000 | Low | 68 |
| British Columbia (Vancouver) | C$92,000 | Low | 95 |
| Alberta (Edmonton) | C$88,000 | Low | 78 |
Montreal has the highest absolute number of aerospace engineering jobs because of its concentration of OEMs and suppliers. But Ontario positions, particularly in the GTA, tend to pay 15-25% more. The catch is that Toronto's housing costs eat into that premium. An engineer earning C$82,000 in Montreal often has more disposable income than one earning C$100,000 in Toronto once rent and taxes are factored in.
Quebec also has unique considerations: many employers operate primarily in French, and the province's language laws (Bill 96, updated in 2025) require companies with 25+ employees to use French as the workplace language. If you are an anglophone engineer, you will need functional French for most Montreal-area positions outside of explicitly English-designated roles.
Canadian Space Agency roles
The CSA is a relatively small agency compared to NASA, with around 700 employees. It hires aerospace engineers primarily at its headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, just south of Montreal. Roles fall under the federal public service classification system, similar to how NASA uses the GS scale.
CSA engineering positions are typically classified under the ENG (Engineering and Scientific Support) or EL (Electronics) groups. Salaries follow Treasury Board collective agreements:
| Classification | Level | Salary Range (CAD) | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-03 | Junior | C$68,000 - C$82,000 | Junior aerospace engineer |
| ENG-04 | Intermediate | C$82,000 - C$100,000 | Aerospace engineer, mission analyst |
| ENG-05 | Senior | C$100,000 - C$120,000 | Senior engineer, project lead |
| ENG-06 | Principal | C$115,000 - C$135,000 | Principal engineer, section head |
CSA positions are posted on the Government of Canada jobs portal (jobs.gc.ca). Like NASA, the hiring process is slow: 3-6 months from posting to offer. Bilingualism (English-French) is required or strongly preferred for most positions, which limits the applicant pool compared to private sector aerospace employers.
The CSA's current priorities include supporting the Lunar Gateway program (Canada committed C$2.05 billion over 24 years), managing RADARSAT Constellation Mission operations, and funding research through the Canadian Space Advisory Board. These programs create a steady flow of engineering openings.
Professional engineering licensure (P.Eng.)
Unlike the United States, where the PE license is optional for most aerospace engineers, Canada's engineering profession is regulated at the provincial level. To use the title "engineer" in Canada, you technically need to be licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) through your provincial regulator (e.g., PEO in Ontario, OIQ in Quebec).
In practice, many aerospace companies hire engineers without requiring immediate licensure, especially in the first few years. But career advancement often depends on it. The typical path:
- Graduate with an accredited engineering degree (CEAB-accredited or assessed equivalent)
- Complete 4 years of supervised engineering experience (Engineering-in-Training / EIT status)
- Pass the Professional Practice Exam (PPE) or equivalent provincial exam
- Apply for P.Eng. designation
If you hold an engineering degree from outside Canada, Engineers Canada's assessment process can evaluate your credentials. Processing takes 6-12 months and may require additional coursework if your program did not cover Canadian-specific technical content.
Immigration pathways for aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineering (NOC 21310) qualifies under several Canadian immigration streams, making Canada one of the easier countries for foreign-trained aerospace engineers to enter.
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): NOC 21310 is eligible. You need at least 1 year of continuous full-time work experience in the field, along with meeting language and education requirements. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470+ is competitive in 2026.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia all list aerospace engineering as an in-demand occupation at various times. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, which effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply.
Global Talent Stream: Employers can hire foreign aerospace engineers under the Global Talent Stream, which provides work permits in as little as 2 weeks. MDA and Telesat have both used this program for specialized hires.
LMIA exemption for CUSMA (formerly NAFTA): U.S. and Mexican citizens who are engineers can apply for CUSMA professional work permits at the border without needing an LMIA. This is one of the fastest paths if you hold a qualifying degree and have a Canadian job offer.
How to find aerospace engineering jobs in Canada
The best sources for Canadian aerospace engineering positions in 2026:
- jobs.gc.ca for CSA and Department of National Defence positions
- MDA careers page (mda.space/careers) for Canadarm3 and satellite work
- CAE careers (cae.com/careers) for simulation and training
- Zero G Talent for aerospace engineering jobs aggregated across multiple employers, including Canadian space companies
- LinkedIn Jobs with location filter set to Canada and NOC 21310 keywords
- Glassdoor Canada shows 544+ open aerospace engineer positions as of early 2026
Networking matters more in Canada's aerospace sector than job boards alone. The Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI) hosts annual conferences, and Montreal's aerospace cluster holds regular industry meetups. If you are relocating, attending one of these events before applying can connect you directly to hiring managers.
Browse aerospace engineering positions and remote opportunities on Zero G Talent to see which Canadian and international space companies are actively hiring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for an aerospace engineer in Canada?
Entry-level aerospace engineers with a bachelor's degree and less than one year of experience earn an average of C$64,658 per year. In Ontario, starting salaries tend to be slightly higher at C$68,000-C$75,000, while Quebec starting salaries run C$58,000-C$68,000. These figures exclude benefits, which typically add 15-25% in total compensation value.
Do I need to speak French to work as an aerospace engineer in Canada?
It depends on where you work. Montreal and Longueuil, where the CSA, Bombardier, and Pratt & Whitney are located, strongly prefer bilingual candidates. Bill 96 requires French as the workplace language in Quebec for companies with 25+ employees. In Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, English-only positions are the norm. MDA's Brampton office operates primarily in English.
How does the P.Eng. requirement affect aerospace engineers?
You can work as an aerospace engineer in Canada without a P.Eng., but you cannot sign off on engineering documents or use the "engineer" title officially without it. Most employers give you 4 years to obtain your license after starting work. The practical impact on hiring is small: companies care more about your skills and experience than your licensure status at the entry level.
Can I transfer my U.S. aerospace engineering experience to Canada?
Yes. Your U.S. experience counts toward both Express Entry requirements and P.Eng. licensure timelines. ABET-accredited degrees from U.S. universities are recognized through the Washington Accord. If you are a U.S. citizen, the CUSMA professional work permit is the fastest path: you can apply at the border with a job offer letter, proof of your engineering degree, and your passport.
Which Canadian province has the most aerospace engineering jobs?
Quebec leads by volume, accounting for roughly 50% of Canada's aerospace employment. Ontario is second with about 30%, driven by MDA, Magellan, and defense contractors. Manitoba, with Magellan's Winnipeg operations and Standard Aero, accounts for about 8%. The remaining provinces have scattered opportunities, mostly with smaller companies or government research labs.
