Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. We are looking for a Principal Mission Assurance Engineer to lead our Mission Assurance team and own the end-to-end strategy that ensures our spacecraft is safe, reliable, and mission ready. In this role you will be embedded with the design, test, and operations teams, driving the vehicle safety architecture as well as relentlessly driving risk down and availability up. In this role you will be the technical authority for mission assurance across the program and get to lead and mentor a team of ~6 mission assurance engineers. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * End-to-end ownership of the vehicle safety architecture making sure it meets all safety & reliability requirements (both internal and external from ISS program, ESA and CNES on entry safety). * Owner of overall flight reliability, responsible for assessing pre-flight risks and potential mitigations with vehicle design, analysis, and operations teams. * Perform and review FMECA, FTA, PRA, and RAM analyses to identify risks and failure modes. * Define and validate the spacecraft fault management and FDIR architecture. * Work with avionics, software, and operations teams to implement fault management strategies and ensure safe behavior under off-nominal conditions. * Support on-console operations as the Mission Assurance representative and drive in-flight anomaly resolution. Ensure lessons learned feed directly back into design and FDIR improvements. * Lead and mentor a team of safety, reliability, and fault management engineers. Set priorities, review their work, and grow their technical depth. * Champion a culture of mission assurance. Instill first-principles thinking, disciplined verification, and data-driven decision-making. * Report to program leadership on RAMS status, residual risk, and flight readiness. * Drive corrective actions from anomalies, test failures, and operational events back into design improvements. WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU The ideal candidate will have: * Master’s degree in an engineering or science discipline. * 8+ years of experience in RAMS, mission assurance, or systems safety on complex hardware systems. * Experience leading teams or projects — setting technical direction and delivering results. * Proficiency with reliability tools (e.g., FMECA, FTA, reliability block diagrams). * Deep understanding of fault tolerance, redundancy management, and failure detection/isolation/recovery. * Technical knowledge of spacecraft systems and operations (e.g., communications, orbital mechanics, avionics, propulsion, thermal control, life support systems). * Strong written and verbal communication of technical information. * Able to effectively manage projects and tasks while meeting aggressive deadlines. * Thrives under pressure and is resilient in the face of technical challenges. * Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. BONUS QUALIFICATIONS * Experience developing and validating FDIR logic, watchdog strategies, and fault response sequences. * Previous experience in a customer-facing role working through design requirements, test acceptance, and verification (especially with a government customer such as ESA/NASA). * Ability and willingness to put in extra time to mentor other engineers while also being a significant individual contributor. * Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight. Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * 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?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. The heart of a spacecraft lies in its propulsion system, and that's why we, at The Exploration Company, are dedicated to developing our own cutting-edge Propulsion Systems ensuring the highest level of efficiency and reliability in our space endeavors. We are seeking a talented Valve Development Engineer to help us in our mission by leading the development of valves for our Nyx. You will be responsible for the technical compliance of the valves (bang bang valve, latching valves, solenoid valves) we will develop. You will report to the Propulsion Units Development & Procurement Principal.. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: * Define and maintain the best technical baseline for the valves, in strong collaboration with the system, avionics, vehicle design and AIT teams: requirements specification (including verification method), product architecture, interfaces (fluidic, mechanical, thermal, electrical and data) and performances. * Actively support the engineering teams (system, VDT, avionics, propulsion) during the Nyx Earth capsule design and development, with a strong focus on valve interfaces. * Create the CAD for the component, create and review engineering drawings, and perform analysis on the component. You are responsible for the component from idealization until the flight delivery of the product. * Structural analysis of each component, referring to the MMPDS and NASA/ESA standards, to define the appropriate safety margins for the component. * Fluidic analysis to evaluate the flow characteristics of the component, along with performing experimental testing to validate your model. * Magnetic analysis to define the anticipated mechanical force margin of the component. Verification and anchoring of the magnetic model through testing of the valve. The testing will then be used to validate the required margins given by NASA/ESA requirements. * Tolerance analysis to ensure that the assembly, given a worst-case tolerance stack, still complies with the requirements flown down from the specifications provided by NASA / ESA. * Support the AIT team during preparation for integration, integration and testing of the valves on the propulsion development and qualification models and on the flight propulsion system, including review and validation of assembly and test procedures, review and validation of test results, and timely resolution of any non-conformances. * Support preparation of flight operations and procedures, participate in rehearsal and flight operations, review and analyse flight data and treat any abnormal fluid component behavior. WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU: * Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree preferred). * Minimum of 2 years of experience in the development of valves for aerospace liquid propulsion units. * Strong understanding of valves (solenoid valves, latching valves, torque motor valves...), including design, manufacturing and testing. * Excellent collaboration skills for working effectively across departments to achieve seamless system integration. * Fluency in English. Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * 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?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. As a talented Valve Development Engineer, you will lead the design and development of solenoid isolation valves for our storable propulsion system, from concept through qualification — owning the electromagnetic, mechanical, and sealing design that makes the valve work reliably over the mission life. ROLE OVERVIEW Valve Design & Development * Support the design of solenoid isolation valves from concept through qualification, balancing performance, mass, reliability, and manufacturability. * Define and mature valve architecture — poppet/seat design, actuation mechanism, sealing concept — to meet functional and interface requirements. * Perform mechanical sizing and trade studies (force margins, spring rates, stroke, response time) to support design decisions. Electromagnetic & Actuation Design * Design and analyze the solenoid actuator — coil, armature, magnetic circuit — to meet response time, power, and force margin requirements. * Collaborate with electrical engineers on coil drive electronics and EMI/EMC considerations. * Support trade-offs between actuation force, power consumption, and thermal dissipation. Materials, Sealing & Propellant Compatibility * Select materials and seal designs compatible with storable propellants, ensuring long-term compatibility and low permeation/leakage. * Define sealing concepts — elastomeric or metal-to-metal — balancing leak-tightness, cycle life, and contamination sensitivity. * Coordinate with materials engineering on qualification of propellant-wetted materials. Design Verification & Cross-Functional Coordination * Define and support the verification plan for valve qualification, working closely with test engineers on test setup and success criteria. * Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure design manufacturability and testability. * Support anomaly investigations and root cause analysis for valve-level issues, feeding lessons learned back into the design. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES LOCATION You will perform your duties principally at the Company's premises in Bordeaux and may be required to travel from time to time to our company’s premises in Munich in the course of your duties. WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU * 5+ years of hands-on experience designing valves or similar electromechanical fluid components for space or aerospace applications. * Experience in solenoid/electromagnetic actuator design (magnetic circuit design, coil design) is a strong plus. * Strong understanding of sealing technology, elastomer and metal seal design, and propellant compatibility; storable propellant experience preferred. * Proficiency in CAD (CATIA, NX, or equivalent) and mechanical analysis tools. * Experience defining and supporting qualification test campaigns for valves. * Familiarity with applicable standards for valve qualification (NASA, ECSS, or equivalent). Skills and Behaviours: * A hands-on approach to problem-solving, combined with a collaborative mindset to work across multidisciplinary teams * Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask * Capability of working autonomously whilst collaborating productively with remote teams * Positive and flexible attitude in a constantly evolving environment * Grit to get the job done * Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences * Behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Commitment, Innovation, Trust, Quality, and Teamwork Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * 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?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.