Propulsion AIT Engineer (Cryogenic Engine)

Location: Bordeaux, France; relocation assistance is provided, including visa sponsorship where applicable.

Company

The Exploration Company builds spacecraft for humanity and develops flight-relevant propulsion hardware.

What you will do

• Lead assembly and acceptance testing of Huracan cryogenic engine subcomponents, especially the thrust chamber assembly.
• Participate in full engine builds, integrating structures, fluid components, valves, instrumentation, pumps, piping, and other propulsion subsystems.
• Develop assembly procedures, work instructions, manufacturing documentation, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Perform leak checks, pressure tests, functional checks, instrumentation checks, and other verification activities under approved procedures and safety controls.
• Prepare hot-fire test campaigns through hardware readiness reviews, equipment checks, procedure walk-downs, and test article closeout.
• Record build and inspection data, investigate integration issues, implement corrective actions, and improve assembly processes and production readiness.

Requirements

• Young graduate in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field; a master’s degree or higher is preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Rigor, attention to detail, precise procedure-following, and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and take ownership of hardware readiness.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and communicating clearly about hardware status, risks, and constraints.
• Passion for space exploration and motivation to move propulsion hardware from drawings to tested engines.

Nice to have

• Rocketry experience or individual aerospace projects.
• Experience assembling or integrating mechanical systems in a laboratory, workshop, production, or test environment, ideally involving propulsion, pressure systems, fluidic assemblies, or complex hardware.
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM, ERP, manufacturing execution, or technical documentation systems.
• Understanding of torque-controlled assembly, cleanliness practices, FOD prevention, leak testing, pressure testing, or dimensional inspection.
• Understanding of configuration management, non-conformance management, root-cause analysis, and quality documentation.
• Exposure to machining, welding, additive manufacturing, surface treatments, and inspections, including their impact on tolerances and performance.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile environment with fast decision-making while maintaining clear goals and systems.
• Open and collaborative culture focused on transparency about risks and obstacles.
• Opportunity to contribute to the democratization of space through propulsion and spacecraft development.
• Relocation assistance is available, including visa sponsorship where applicable.
• Equal opportunity workplace that values diversity.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV for consideration.
• Any offer is conditional on a successful background check based on the country, role, and project.