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The Exploration Company is building innovative aerospace technologies for space transportation, developing Nyx—a modular, reusable orbital vehicle designed for cargo and eventual human missions with in-orbit refueling capability.
We seek an experienced Propulsion AIT Principal Engineer to lead Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities for two cryogenic propulsion systems, each supported by a dedicated team. This is a key technical leadership role combining hands-on expertise with people leadership.
You will provide overall technical leadership for propulsion AIT activities, define and maintain AIT approach, philosophy, plans and execution strategy, and ensure alignment with system requirements, design intent, verification objectives and programme milestones. You will review and approve AIT procedures, test specifications, test plans, test reports, non-conformance dispositions and engineering change documentation. You will lead technical assessment and resolution of complex AIT problems including test anomalies, hardware issues, instrumentation problems and system performance deviations.
You will oversee preparation, integration, functional testing and acceptance activities for propulsion systems, coordinate anomaly investigations ensuring proper root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and ensure all AIT activities comply with safety rules, operational constraints and approved procedures. You will lead and mentor propulsion AIT Team Leaders, balance resources and priorities across systems, and support team development through coaching and technical guidance.
You will contribute to integrated project planning including AIT schedules, resource requirements and major test milestones, identify technical, operational and schedule risks, ensure compliance with company processes and regulatory requirements, and promote a strong safety culture for cryogenic, high-pressure and propulsion test operations. You will support quality investigations, audits and corrective/preventive actions.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, propulsion engineering or related technical discipline
- 5+ years professional experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, aircraft, industrial gas, energy or other relevant high-technology environment
- Strong experience in Assembly, Integration and Test, ideally involving propulsion systems or complex fluid and pressure systems
- Proven experience leading engineering teams and coordinating multidisciplinary technical activities
- Experience with cryogenic systems, liquid propulsion, pressurized systems, fluid systems or related test operations
- Experience planning and executing complex test campaigns from preparation through final reporting
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical investigations and resolve test anomalies using structured problem-solving
- Strong understanding of configuration management, verification and validation, requirements compliance and technical documentation
- Experience working with test facilities, ground support equipment, instrumentation and data acquisition systems
- Capacity to travel to test sites and partner facilities as required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Fluent professional English; French advantageous
