Hybrid Senior Propulsion System Engineer – Orbital Vehicle

at The Exploration Company

• Job title: Senior Propulsion System Engineer – Orbital Vehicle
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Postgraduate Degree
• Tech skills: Assembly
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Bordeaux, France

About the role

• Propulsion System Senior Engineer developing propulsion systems for Nyx. Leading design and validation for spacecraft chemical propulsion at The Exploration Company in Bordeaux.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership for the design justification, lay-out optimization, and testing of the MON/MMH propulsion system.
• Interface with structures, thermal, avionics, GNC, safety and operations teams to ensure consistent cross-domain requirements.
• Support the validation of propulsion system architecture, functional chain, and control strategy.
• Support the propulsion FMEA/FMECA activities in coordination with system engineering, and safety teams.
• Support the definition, modeling, and validation of propulsion FDIR strategy.
• Contribute to the preparation of AIT procedures for both the Propulsion Qualification Model (PQM) and the Flight Model (FM).
• Support to MAIT during assembly, integration and testing of the PQM and FM.
• Lead the definition of functional tests, leak tests, dry-run operations, and hazardous/propellant-related operations.
• Lead the VnV process of the propulsion system.
• Support development of mission operations concepts, timelines, and propulsion nominal and off-nominal procedures (startup, orbital manoeuvres, rendezvous support, docking, undocking, de-orbit, passivation, capsule recovery) in cooperation with the mission management team.
• Participate in operators training and mission rehearsal campaigns.
• Act as propulsion operator within the mission operation team during the maiden mission.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft chemical propulsion system design, testing, or operations (storable propellant experience strongly preferred).
• Strong systems engineering mindset, ability to lead multidisciplinary discussions and defend design choices.
• Proven background with MON, MMH, NTO, or hydrazine-based systems.
• Hands-on experience with FMEA/FMECA, fault management, and/or FDIR architectures.
• Experience in spacecraft AIT, including work with hazardous propellants.
• Experience with mission operations, simulation tools, and operational concept development.
• Ability to guide junior engineers and coordinate with external suppliers.
• Strong analytical and documentation skills (FMECA tools, modelling, verification matrices).
• Fluency in English.

Benefits

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind
• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them
• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?
• Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.