Head of Valves & Equipment (Aerospace)

Location: Ottobrunn/Taufkirchen, Germany or Vernon, France; flexible working hours with a partial home office option and regular travel.

Company

ArianeGroup develops and manufactures technologies for space, defence, and industrial applications, including launch vehicle propulsion systems and cryogenic valves.

What you will do

• Lead a French/German team responsible for valves and flow control equipment within Liquid Propulsion Engineering.
• Own the engineering perimeter for storable and cryogenic propellant flow control devices, from conception and layout through verification and qualification.
• Manage product justification, testing, flight worthiness, and technical acceptance of subcontractor waivers across the portfolio.
• Guide team contributions to program milestones, reviews, and key delivery points.
• Drive design-to-cost, design-to-manufacturing, visual management, operational planning, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and pre-develop innovative valve and equipment technologies according to the R&T roadmap.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering.
• More than 7 years of experience in aerospace science and engineering.
• Detailed knowledge of storable and cryogenic propellant flow control devices.
• Advanced knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermo-mechanical characteristics, systems engineering, and project management.
• Developed leadership, coordination, communication, problem-solving, and collaborative working skills.
• Fluent English is required; French and German are advantageous.

Culture & Benefits

• International aerospace environment with collaboration across French and German sites.
• Flexible working hours and flexible working-time models.
• 30 days of annual leave, company pension plan, sick-pay subsidy, and additional collective-agreement payments.
• Personal development through e-learning, training, mentoring, and access to an expert network.
• Health management programs, social counselling, Care for Life, and sabbatical options.
• Employee discounts, staff canteen, and car park.

Hiring process

• Submit an application in English with a CV, cover letter, and references.