Turbopump AIT Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Turbopump AIT Engineer (Aerospace): Developing and validating propulsion systems for modular space vehicles with an accent on turbopump assembly, integration, and testing. Focus on designing test strategies, managing high-precision mechanical hardware, and ensuring technical maturity for engine-level flight hardware.

Location: Onsite in Bordeaux, France. Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are provided for eligible candidates.

Company

The Exploration Company is building modular and reusable space orbital vehicles designed to carry cargo and humans while democratizing access to space.

What you will do

• Define and implement subcomponent test strategies to ensure technical maturity.
• Design and validate test assemblies and dedicated tooling for component-level testing.
• Lead high-precision mechanical assembly of turbopump hardware including bearings, rotors, and seals.
• Manage fluid interfaces and instrumentation on test articles.
• Act as a technical interface with design teams to optimize for manufacturability and testability.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners throughout the test campaign lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
• 2+ years of experience in turbopump design, testing, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with pump or rotating machinery testing.
• Solid understanding of cryogenics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Familiarity with rocket propulsion and thermophysical property tools.
• Strong communication skills for effective multidisciplinary collaboration.

Nice to have

• Exposure to dynamic seals and high-duty bearings.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes like machining, welding, or additive manufacturing.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data-driven methods.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile decision-making environment with a focus on transparency.
• Opportunity to work on rare, mission-critical space technology.
• Collaborative and open team culture.
• Relocation support and visa sponsorship for international candidates.