Propulsion Development Engineer

Bordeaux, France
Full-time
Posted Nov 9, 2026

Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building spacecraft for humanity.

We want you as a talented Propulsion Development Engineer to help us in our mission by supporting in the development, manufacturing and testing of the Nyx Earth Propulsion systems. In order to qualify the propulsion systems a multitude of tests will be required spanning from functional tests, cold flows to system level hotfires. This testing will allow for the verification and validation of all the propulsion subsystems. You will be designing test rigs to validate flight design, assembling and lastly performing the testing on the test rigs to provide critical data needed to validate simulation models.

You will report to the Propulsion Development Models Principal Engineer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

In your capacity as a Propulsion Development Engineer, you will be responsible for the on-time and on-cost design, development and testing activities linked to the propulsion sub-systems.

Your role will be continuously evolving, but day-to-day responsibilities will include:

During the Design Phase;

•Define and maintain the test objectives and requirements

•Establish and justify, together with the pressure and fluidic system engineers, the architecture and the design (P&ID, PBS, interfaces) of the models and test rigs

•Design of thruster test rigs

•Define and select components, parts and sensors and manage their procurement

•Elaborate and maintain the schedule and cost, ensuring on-time and on-cost of the pressure system and the propellant feed system test rigs.

•Create test procedures ensuring safe and efficient operation of all test rigs

During assembly and testing phase

•Support on the testing and assembly of thrusters

•Perform assembly, troubleshooting and commissioning of the test rigs

•Perform test campaigns, analyzing in real-time the test parameters and the test results with timely resolution of any anomaly arising during testing.

•Conduct pre-test and post-test reviews and elaborate the test report.

•Support on updating and correlate the fluidic models based on test results.

•Perform maintenance and upgrades of test rigs

What we would love to see from you:

•A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related Engineering discipline.

•Over 2 years of related experience in designing, building, and testing complex fluid systems.

•Strong engineering fundamentals in fluid dynamics

•Proficiency in conducting fluid analyses using classical hand calculations

•Experience with CAD design

•Experience using data acquisition equipment, as well as test instrumentation and control components.

•Experience with the generation of test plans as well as planning and conducting development test campaigns.

•Experience in cold flow test operations of pressurization and feed systems

•Excellent collaboration skills for working effectively across departments.

•Fluency in English.

Skills and Behaviours:

•Strong oral and written communication skills.

•Strong analysis and problem-solving skills.

•Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks.

•Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done.

•Ability to communicate at all levels of the business.

•Demonstrates behaviours consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Mission, Vision, Integrity, Excellence and Teamwork.

•Space enthusiast, ready to change the European space industry.

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.