Health and Safety Lead

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 an experienced HSE Engineer to oversee and manage EHS activities across three different sites. This role is integral to both our Operations and Project organizations, ensuring the safety, health, and environmental compatibility of our facilities, bit also contributing to the ongoing space projects. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Compliance and Safety Programs: * Define the ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification plans and roadmap, and drive the company to the compliance. * Ensure the organization complies with all relevant environmental, health, and safety regulations and standards set by local, national, and EU agencies. * Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive safety programs and policies aimed at minimizing workplace hazards and ensuring a safe working environment. * Conduct regular inspections and audits of facilities, equipment, and processes to ensure ongoing compliance with EHS standards and identify opportunities for improvement. * Monitor and drive the continual improvement of HSE performance metrics. Training: * Provide continuous training and education to employees on EHS policies, procedures, and best practices, fostering a proactive culture of safety. Site EHS Management: * Oversee EHS management at three different sites, ensuring adherence to local and international HSE regulations. * Support the management of hazardous materials, ensuring their safe handling, storage, and disposal in compliance with regulations. Alerts Management: * Develop and coordinate robust emergency response plans and procedures to handle potential emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, or natural disasters effectively. * Investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses to determine root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. * Manage safety alerts and communicate findings and recommendations effectively. Waste Management: * Oversee the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste, minimizing environmental impact. Quality Safety: * Support the Quality organization with safety-related aspects and contribute to the development and improvement of TEC's Quality Management System, * Ensure compliance with REACH and ROHS regulations, Project Safety: * Provide expert advice on health and safety matters related to product contributing to risk management process and hazard analysis at project level. WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU In the role of Quality Engineer ideally, you will have the following: * Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field. Chemistry, environmental policy, chemical engineering, EH&S, or a related business field is preferred. * Several years of experience in an EHS role, preferably within a manufacturing, aerospace, or similar industry, * Strong knowledge of local and EU EHS regulations and standards, primarily ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, * Experience with risk assessment methodologies, safety audits, and incident investigation, * Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, * Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, * Detail and solution-oriented mindset with a strong ability to work independently, * Demonstrated ability to thrive in a team environment while exhibiting strong leadership skills, * Willingness to travel as needed, * Working fluency in English. Additional assets: * Experience with propulsion technologies, * Working fluency in German. 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.

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a new kind of defence technology company, revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments. We’re focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe. YOUR MISSION As a UAV Test Pilot at STARK, you are the critical link between digital design and physical reality. Working in lockstep with Flight Test Engineers, you will be responsible for the planning, execution, and reporting of flight tests for experimental, developmental, and modified production systems. Your mission is to push our airframes to their limits to validate performance, ensure compliance with international standards, and prove the safety of our designs. You aren't just "flying drones", you are validating the next generation of autonomous flight technologies that will protect Europe. Whether you are executing high-performance manual maneuvers or monitoring complex BVLOS autonomous missions, your feedback will directly shape the software and hardware of the future. RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES FLIGHT OPERATIONS & EXECUTION * Conduct remote piloting of unmanned aircraft during development and validation campaigns, often in full-manual mode to test the raw flight envelope. * Execute flight tests with surgical precision according to the flight test programme. * Monitor live telemetry and onboard video streams, maintaining total situational awareness of aircraft health and test status. * Coordinate seamlessly with GCS operators, observers, and engineers in a high-pressure team environment. TEST PLANNING & PREPARATION * Contribute operational expertise to test site selection, flight profiles, hazard analysis, and weather constraints. * Prepare UAV systems, including pre-flight configuration, control link verification, and functional system checks. * Assist with the integration and ground verification of flight-critical hardware and software. SAFETY, REGULATORY & DOCUMENTATION * Act as the final authority on safety for each sortie, conducting risk assessments and responding to anomalies or emergency situations. * Maintain airspace deconfliction in accordance with SORA and EASA regulatory requirements. * Participate in briefings/debriefings, providing structured, technical feedback on aircraft behavior. * Support licensing and documentation to build long-term test capabilities across Germany and Europe. YOUR FIRST 12 MONTHS TIMEFRAME FOCUS MONTH 0–1: ONBOARDING MASTER THE STARK TECH STACK. GET FAMILIAR WITH OUR CURRENT AIRFRAMES, GCS SOFTWARE, AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS. COMPLETE LOCAL SITE INDUCTIONS AND SHADOW EXISTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS. MONTH 1–3: INTEGRATION BEGIN EXECUTING STANDARD TEST CARDS. SUPPORT THE ENGINEERING TEAM IN GROUND-TESTING NEW COMPONENTS AND TAKE YOUR FIRST "STICK TIME" WITH EXPERIMENTAL PROTOTYPES. MONTH 3–6: MISSION LEAD LEAD FLIGHT TEST CAMPAIGNS FOR SPECIFIC SUBSYSTEM VALIDATIONS. CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO SORA APPLICATIONS AND EXPAND OUR OPERATIONAL FOOTPRINT IN EUROPE. MONTH 6–12: ADVANCED TESTING EXECUTE COMPLEX BVLOS AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENVELOPES. START TRANSITIONING TOWARD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEERING (FTE) TASKS, INCLUDING DATA ANALYSIS AND TEST DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES. QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE & CERTIFICATIONS * Valid EU A1/A3 and A2 Remote Pilot Certificates (EASA). * Valid radio operator certificate (e.g., BZF) or the ability to obtain one immediately. * Demonstrable manual piloting skills of high-performance fixed-wing and multirotor UAVs (precision take-offs, landings, and maneuvering in tight spots). * Experience with professional GCS software, mission planning tools, and telemetry monitoring. * Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations). TECHNICAL MINDSET * Familiarity with test operations under BVLOS and experimental conditions. * Skilled in maintaining situational awareness during long, complex multi-aircraft operations. * A problem-solving mindset—you don’t just report a bug; you help the engineers find the "why." * Excellent written and verbal communication in English. MINDSET & STYLE * Disciplined: You follow test cards to the letter but stay agile when a plan changes last minute. * Reliable: High attention to detail with a "safety-first" internal compass. * Startup Ready: You thrive in a fast-paced environment where your role evolves as the company grows. NICE TO HAVE * Previous experience as a Flight Test Engineer or holding a PPL/CPL/ATPL. * Hands-on experience tuning Ardupilot or PX4 autopilot systems. * Background in military UAV operations or defense contracting. WHY STARK * Shape the Future: A unique opportunity to influence the trajectory of autonomous flight tech. * Fast-Paced Growth: Flat hierarchies and a decision-heavy environment —no red tape, just results. * The Best Tools: Access to cutting-edge drone hardware and dedicated test facilities. * Career Path: Development pathway toward Senior Flight Test Engineer or Test Director roles. * Competitive Package: Salary that reflect your value to the mission.

Vaeridion

YOUR MISSION We are seeking a (Senior) Flight Control System Engineer (all genders) to lead the design and development of the flight control systems for our battery-electric aircraft. In this role, you will be responsible for defining and integrating the aircraft’s primary and secondary flight control systems, including both mechanical and electrically actuated elements, working in close collaboration with the flight physics, structures, and systems teams. You will drive the flight control system throughout its complete development lifecycle, from system-level requirements definition through architecture development, preliminary and detailed design, supplier coordination, integration, verification and validation activities, and ultimately system and aircraft certification. Working cross-functionally with structures, avionics, flight physics, systems, and overall aircraft design, you will ensure robust integration of the flight control system within the aircraft. As a senior engineer, you will play a central role in technical decision-making, system trade-offs, and the maturation of the overall aircraft configuration. YOUR DAY-TO-DAY * Define, derive, and manage system-level requirements for the flight control system, ensuring alignment with aircraft-level requirements, program objectives, and applicable certification regulations (CS-23 and related operational requirements).  * Perform system-level functional analysis, including functional decomposition, architecture definition, interface identification, and traceability management. * Lead the detailed definition, development, and integration of the flight control system, covering installation design, kinematics, load paths, performance, reliability, maintainability, and safety considerations. * Own the technical coordination and oversight of suppliers and development partners, including requirement allocation, design reviews, verification activities, and compliance demonstration. * Support and contribute to system safety activities related to flight controls, including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA/SFHA), Preliminary System Safety Assessments (PSSA), and Zonal Safety Analysis,in accordance with applicable airworthiness and safety standards. * Actively contribute to the design implementation and configuration control of the flight control system within the aircraft Digital Mock-Up (DMU), ensuring proper integration with structures and other aircraft systems. * Support the flight controls certification process, including preparation and review of certification plans, compliance checklists, qualification documentation and execution, and participation in ground and flight test campaigns. YOUR PROFILE * Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering(or equivalent). * Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in the development of mechanically actuated aircraft flight control systems, preferably within Part 23aircraftprogramsoperatingunder a DOA environment or international equivalent. * Strong background in systems engineering applied to flight controls, including requirement capture and management, functional decomposition, interface definition, and traceability. * Demonstrated expertise in the design, integration, assembly, and testing of mechanical primary flight control systems, including kinematics, load transmission, tolerance management, friction and free-play control, and troubleshooting during ground and flight test campaigns. * Proven experience across the full product development lifecycle, from conceptual architecture and preliminary design through detailed design, verification, validation, and certification (Part 23 or Part 25). * Solid understanding of airworthiness and certification processes, including compliance demonstration and interaction with airworthiness authorities. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional European languages are an asset. * Proficiency in PLM and CAD systems; Dassault’s 3DX platform is a plus. * Self-driven, solution-oriented professional with strong ownership mindset and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic development environment. * Strong personal motivation for aviation and the advancement of electric aircraft technologies.  We recognize that women and other under-represented groups are often overlooked in our industry. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Talent and potential can’t always be captured in a checklist. WHY US? * Be part of an ambitious team determined to shape the future of aviation. * We are an in-office company, but we value flexibility and trust employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work or adjusting hours to accommodate personal commitments. * Subsidized EGYM Wellpass membership: your (mental) health is important for us. * Enjoy a subsidized lunch with a 5€ company contribution per meal on office days. * Become a part of our success with virtual stock options. * Choose the option that suits your needs: either a free charging station for your electric car or a public transport job ticket as part of the Deutschlandticket. * Lease a high-quality bicycle or e-bike through our JobRad program and benefit from tax advantages. Whether for your daily commute or personal use, enjoy more mobility and sustainability. * Pension scheme to support your long-term financial security. * Boost your professional as well as personal growth executing your own ideas and independent projects. * Join our internal social events and retreats (e.g. cooking, game nights, sports). COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES Our Compensation Philosophy: Compensation is determined based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including relevant experience, qualifications and education, performance, level of responsibility, required skills and competencies, and the scarcity or uniqueness of expertise in the relevant field. VÆRIDION applies these criteria consistently to ensure fair and equitable compensation for employees performing the same work or work of equal value. Salary Range: 80.000 EUR - 100.000 EUR