Propulsion AIT Principal Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: Bordeaux, France

Company

Develops, produces, and operates Nyx, a modular and reusable orbital vehicle designed to transport cargo and potentially humans, with future in-orbit refueling capability.

What you will do

• Lead the Assembly, Integration and Test activities for two cryogenic propulsion systems and provide technical direction across their dedicated teams.
• Define AIT plans, execution strategies, procedures, test specifications, reports, and engineering change documentation.
• Oversee propulsion system preparation, integration, functional testing, acceptance activities, and system-level test campaigns.
• Lead investigations into test anomalies, hardware issues, instrumentation problems, and performance deviations, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Coordinate schedules, resources, facility usage, risks, and major test milestones across propulsion programmes.
• Coach AIT Team Leaders, support multidisciplinary collaboration, and promote disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and safety.

Requirements

• Degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, industrial gas, energy, or another relevant high-technology environment.
• Strong Assembly, Integration and Test experience involving propulsion, fluid, pressure, or other complex systems.
• Experience with cryogenic systems, liquid propulsion, pressurised systems, test facilities, ground support equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Experience leading engineering teams, planning complex test campaigns, managing technical investigations, and resolving test anomalies.
• Fluent professional English is required; French is an advantage. Capacity to travel to test sites and partner facilities is required.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile environment with fast decision-making focused on clear goals and robust systems.
• Open and collaborative approach to risks, obstacles, and problem-solving.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of reusable space transportation technology.
• Relocation assistance is provided for candidates willing to relocate, including visa sponsorship where applicable.
• Employment offers are subject to a role- and country-dependent background check.