Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer

Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer

The Exploration Company

Bordeaux, France

We are looking for a Principal TPS Engineer to lead the definition, development, and delivery of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) for Nyx. This role combines deep technical ownership with subsystem leadership, ensuring robust, traceable, and flight-ready TPS solutions aligned with overall spacecraft needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the TPS architecture and design, ensuring consistency with system-level constraints and interfaces (structures, avionics, propulsion, etc.);
• Lead trade-offs and technical decisions, balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule;
• Drive modelling and analysis activities, ensuring high-quality predictions, assumptions traceability, and correlation with test results;
• Define and oversee TPS hardware development and qualification, including supplier interaction and flight model delivery;
• Establish and execute verification and test strategies, from component level to integrated system validation;
• Manage technical risks, reviews, and progress tracking, ensuring timely escalation and mitigation actions;
• Lead and mentor the TPS engineering unit, defining priorities, supporting growth, and ensuring delivery excellence;
• Act as a hands-on technical leader, actively contributing to design, analysis, test preparation and troubleshooting, with strong proximity to integration and MAIT activities;
• Own and structure the TPS laboratory environment, ensuring the right capabilities, workflows, and test practices are in place to support development, qualification, and iteration speed.

What We Would Love to See from You

Qualifications:

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field;
• At least 5 years of experience in the development of space or defense thermal protection systems, including design, analysis, and validation;
• Strong background in material response analysis, testing, and correlation methodologies;
• Proven experience leading space hardware development and qualification;
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics principles;
• Experience in aerodynamic and aerothermal analysis is strongly appreciated;
• Familiarity with space industry standards;
• Fluent in English. German, French or Italian are an asset.

Skills and Behaviors:

• Ability to translate complex technical challenges into clear decisions and actionable plans;
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills within engineering teams;
• Excellent collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and external partners;
• Clear and effective communication with technical and program stakeholders;
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail;
• Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks;
• Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done;
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Vision, Competence, Integrity and Passion.