No. TD status does not authorize employment regardless of the principal’s seniority or salary.
Assess the spouse’s own plan
Identify intended activities and any independent work-authorized route. A household income expectation or employer benefit does not change TD permission.
TD status carries no U.S. employment authorization, and working while physically present in the United States raises questions even where the client and the payer are Canadian. A spouse admitted in TD may remain for the same period as the principal, may enrol in school or university, and may travel in and out of the country, but may not be employed, paid or self-employed anywhere in the United States. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may qualify for TD, with steps depending on each person's nationality, and TD permits study but does not authorize work, including remote work for a Canadian company. Dependent TD steps depend on the principal's case, and if the degree route turns out to be the necessary one, retrieval of old academic records could extend the timeline meaningfully. School enrolment, a lease, a resignation, and a spouse's own notice period are all easier to delay than to undo, and the clearance timeline is set by parties outside the household. Obtain specific advice before any employment, remote activity or unpaid placement rather than assuming the academic records create permission.