Jobs at The Exploration Company

Design and analyze primary and secondary spacecraft structures, optimizing mass while maintaining structural integrity and mission compliance. The role covers metallic and composite materials, FEA validation, supplier coordination, technical documentation, subsystem integration, environmental testing, and qualification campaigns. The engineer will contribute to spacecraft mechanical architecture and ensure compliance with ECSS, NASA, and ISO standards.

Manage suppliers and the full source-to-contract process for the Thermal Protection perimeter, including scouting, RFx bidding, selection, contract negotiation, award, and execution. Partner with engineering on make-or-buy strategy, drive supplier cost and schedule performance, manage risks and opportunities, maintain procurement databases, and report progress to leadership.

Manage suppliers and execute the full source-to-contract process, including scouting, RFX bidding, down selection, contract negotiation, award, execution, and supplier supervision. Support make-or-buy strategies, drive supplier cost and schedule performance, manage risks and opportunities, maintain procurement databases, and report progress. The role requires collaboration with engineering teams and suppliers in a complex technical and spacecraft development environment.

Develop and operate hardware-in-the-loop platforms for the Huracan cryogenic rocket engine. Responsibilities include designing real-time HIL architectures, integrating plant models with engine controllers, emulating sensors and actuators, implementing fault injection, automating tests, analyzing data, and troubleshooting hardware, software, and models. The role supports verification campaigns, requirements traceability, configuration control, technical documentation, and collaboration across propulsion, avionics, embedded software, power electronics, and controls teams.

Designs, develops, and maintains electrical ground support equipment for spacecraft testing, AIT campaigns, and hardware-in-the-loop environments. Builds LabVIEW and NI VeriStand applications, integrates test hardware and software, supports RF TT&C testing, designs harnesses and interfaces, automates test workflows, and provides troubleshooting and on-site campaign support. The role also requires technical documentation, requirements traceability, and adherence to space-grade safety, EMC, ESD, and cleanliness standards.

Develop mission-critical mission control and ground-segment software supporting aerospace testing and operations. Responsibilities include full-lifecycle backend and frontend development, scalable distributed systems, real-time data processing, automated testing, deployment, user support, workflow improvement, and collaboration with flight controllers and engineering teams. The role also contributes to operational reliability, documentation, engineering practices, and mentoring junior engineers.

Develop and test rocket engine control, monitoring, fault detection, and sensor validation algorithms for the Storm LOX/LCH4 engine. Support controller development environments, functional model integration, closed-loop simulations, MiL/SiL/HiL testing, engine test campaigns, data analysis, requirements, failure mode analysis, and technical documentation. This entry-level role offers guided progression toward ownership of safety-critical engine control functions.

Develop, commission, and operate a vacuum hot-fire propulsion test facility for Nyx. Translate thruster test needs into facility, utilities, instrumentation, DAQ, and control requirements; manage suppliers and integration; support hazard analyses, procedures, commissioning, hot-fire and cold-flow testing, maintenance, and safe operations.

Leads cryogenic valve development test campaigns for a high-thrust spacecraft engine. Responsibilities include translating requirements into test plans and procedures, defining instrumentation and test configurations, coordinating hardware and facility readiness, executing functional and environmental tests, analyzing data and anomalies, producing test reports, supporting root-cause investigations, and coordinating valve testing across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Design and develop composite and metallic spacecraft structures from concept through industrialization. Responsibilities include CAD modeling, composite layup and ply book creation, design-for-manufacturing, material and process selection, integration of FEA results, technical documentation, configuration and mass management, and cross-functional collaboration with aerospace engineering teams. The role requires at least three years of composite design experience in aerospace or other high-performance applications.

Lead assembly, integration, and acceptance testing of cryogenic rocket engine components and complete engines. Develop assembly procedures, tooling, and manufacturing documentation; perform leak, pressure, functional, and instrumentation checks; support hot-fire test readiness; document build data and non-conformities; and investigate issues with engineering and quality teams. The role emphasizes hands-on propulsion hardware integration, configuration control, safety, quality, and continuous process improvement.

Supports multiple senior executives by managing complex calendars, coordinating domestic and international travel, prioritizing requests, facilitating communication and meetings, handling confidential information, and preparing research and decision-making materials. The role requires strong organization, discretion, adaptability, proactive problem-solving, communication skills, Microsoft Office proficiency, and comfort using AI tools.

Defines and maintains spacecraft flight software architecture, including components, interfaces, data flows, requirements traceability, integration, verification, safety, reliability, and performance. Provides technical leadership, evaluates architectural trade-offs and risks, coordinates with avionics, GNC, systems engineering, and mission operations, and guides multidisciplinary teams in developing scalable, maintainable, mission-critical software.

Lead verification and validation, requirements traceability, test planning, certification documentation, and software functional baselining for spacecraft flight software. Collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, subsystem owners, certification bodies, and safety authorities. Apply aerospace software standards, support NASA Safety Reviews, plan integrated mission testing, and resolve technical issues using expertise in C/C++, Python, embedded systems, and real-time software.

Develops guidance, navigation, and control systems for rocket-powered landers across the full lifecycle, including requirements, design, simulation, control-law software, hardware integration, HiL and flight testing, parameter estimation, and verification. Collaborates with avionics, propulsion, test, and ground-control teams while managing technical baselines and delivering work packages on schedule, quality, and cost.

Owns the technical development and supplier follow-up of secondary components for the Huracan lunar lander engine. Responsibilities include component design support, requirements and interface definition, CAD and drawing reviews, qualification and acceptance testing, supplier evidence review, risk and anomaly management, and support for assembly, integration, testing, and operations preparation. The role coordinates extensively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, testing, and external partners.

Supports daily office and site operations through front-desk coverage, visitor and supplier coordination, meeting preparation, scheduling, correspondence, record maintenance, and administrative support. The role requires proactive issue resolution, strong organization, reliable communication, and collaboration across teams in a fast-paced space startup. It begins at 20–30 hours per week with potential transition to a full-time permanent position.

Lead EU and French public affairs strategy, advising executives on political and regulatory matters, engaging institutions and public authorities, managing policy files, preparing advocacy materials, and translating developments into business recommendations. The role requires autonomous execution, stakeholder management, executive communication, and coordination across legal, projects, business development, and communications teams.

Lead end-to-end development and delivery of defence and dual-use orbiters and in-orbit service capabilities. Translate customer needs into mission and programme requirements, manage scope, schedule, budget, resources, quality and technical performance, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams through design, qualification, launch, commissioning and operations. Act as the primary customer contact, manage suppliers and manufacturing activities, and support proposals for institutional and defence customers.

Leads operational purchasing and direct-material procurement across international locations. Manages supplier relationships, delivery performance, procure-to-pay controls, ERP purchasing data, and recovery actions for supply risks. Develops commodity and standard-parts strategies, allocates purchasing capacity, anticipates demand, and improves purchasing processes. Leads distributed procurement teams across Germany, Italy, France, and the planned US scope while ensuring compliance with EN9100 requirements and aerospace delivery priorities.