Propulsion Test Engineer

The Exploration Company
Bordeaux, France
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with advanced engineering degrees and hands-on propulsion testing experience working in aerospace and reusable space vehicle development.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with advanced engineering degrees and hands-on propulsion testing experience
    — “Bachelor's, master's or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field (master's and above preferred).”
  • Individuals with a background in cryogenic propulsion and a collaborative mindset
    — “Working hand in hand with development engineers, test bench team, AIT team and external partners to support all test operations on internal and external test facilities.”

Things to consider

  • Background check is a mandatory condition for employment
    — “All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check”
  • Candidates must be prepared to relocate and potentially handle visa requirements
    — “Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with propulsion chemistry and thermodynamics in your resume
    — “Proficiency in propulsion chemistry, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.”
  • Emphasize your leadership in test operations and safety protocols
    — “Autonomously leading risk assessment analyses and defining mitigation actions to ensure personnel and hardware safety during all test campaigns.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to interpret P&IDs and generate test sequences
    — “Interpreting P&IDs and generating test sequences, balancing the risk, needs of the test and the limits of the test bench and test article.”
  • Showcase experience with simulation tools like CEA and Python programming
    — “Experience with commonly used simulation tools in propulsion testing (e.g., CEA). Proficiency in python programming language is a plus.”
  • Include examples of technical documentation you have prepared for prior tests
    — “Preparing technical documentation, including detailed procedures, test reports, design reviews, and performance analyses.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful test campaigns
  • hardware performance evaluation
  • test data interpretation
  • test procedure improvement
Typical background
propulsion testingaerospace engineeringmechanical engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Propulsion TestingTest Plan DevelopmentRisk AssessmentTest Sequence GenerationTest Data ProcessingTest Procedure DevelopmentTechnical Documentation

Preferred

Cryogenic PropulsionPropulsion ChemistryFluid DynamicsSimulation ToolsPython ProgrammingCAD Software

About the role

Original posting from The Exploration Company via Ashby

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

We are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit, and which carries cargo – and potentially humans in the long run. We are also developing different types of propulsion systems to power our future vehicles and missions. As a talented Propulsion Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the test and analysis of our future propulsion systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

In your capacity as a Propulsion Test Engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties will include:

  • Prepare and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance.
  • Developing test plans, test objectives and schedules consistent with requirements and timelines; leading daily test operations and generating test reports.
  • Autonomously leading risk assessment analyses and defining mitigation actions to ensure personnel and hardware safety during all test campaigns.
  • Interpreting P&IDs and generating test sequences, balancing the risk, needs of the test and the limits of the test bench and test article.
  • Working hand in hand with development engineers, test bench team, AIT team and external partners to support all test operations on internal and external test facilities.
  • Supporting rapid test data processing with component development engineers to guide the remainder of the test campaign and plan future test campaigns.
  • Defining, developing and updating test procedures and guidelines to improve test operations.
  • Preparing technical documentation, including detailed procedures, test reports, design reviews, and performance analyses.

WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU:

  • Bachelor's, master's or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field (master's and above preferred).
  • 3–5 years of experience in propulsion testing or related fields.
  • Proficiency in propulsion chemistry, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
  • Proven hands-on experience with engine testing or equivalent.
  • Background in cryogenic propulsion will be a big plus.
  • Experience with commonly used simulation tools in propulsion testing (e.g., CEA).
  • Proficiency in python programming language is a plus.
  • Exposure to CAD Software (Siemens NX, CATIA, or similar) and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.

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.

Source: The Exploration Company careers (Ashby)

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