Propulsion System Senior Engineer (Orbital Vehicle)

Propulsion System Senior Engineer (Orbital Vehicle)

The Exploration Company

Bordeaux, France

We are seeking a talented Propulsion System Senior Engineer to help us in our mission to develop the design, testing, verification, validation and operation of our propulsion system for Nyx Earth.

This position requires a strong technical background in spacecraft chemical propulsion, excellent systems-level understanding, and the ability to interface across engineering, AIT, and operations teams.

Key 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.

What we would love to see from you:

• 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.