Thruster Development Senior Engineer [Mistral]

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

As a talented Thruster Development Senior Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, and testing of a chemical thruster.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading the end-to-end design and development of a chemical thruster from a conceptual drawing to a demonstrated prototype.

• Defining system requirements, generating conceptual designs, and overseeing detailed engineering analyses and trade studies.

• Planning and executing hot fire test campaigns for thruster design iterations, including managing a small team of test engineers.

• Managing test bench operations, maintenance, and procedure compliance and safety.

• Analyzing test data to ensure systems meet or exceed performance and using the acquired knowledge to improve subsequent designs.

• Developing innovative approaches to improve thruster efficiency, lifetime, and scalability.

• Preparing comprehensive technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and performance reports.

• Presenting findings and project updates to stakeholders, customers, and senior management.

• Providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and interns.

• Staying updated on advancements in propulsion technologies and contributing to the development of novel thruster concepts.

• Support proposal development for new programs and R&D initiatives.

What we would love to see from you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred).

• 5+ years of experience in propellant systems analysis, propulsion development, or related fields.

• Demonstrated success in leading complex development projects, from concept to deployment.

• Expertise in propulsion chemistry, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.

• Proficiency in simulation tools (e.g., CEA, MATLAB, ANSYS, or similar).

• Proficiency in Python programming language.

• Proficiency in 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.

• Fluency in English.

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.