AIT Mechanical Technician - Thermal Protection System

The Exploration Company; München; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a Mechanical Technician - Thermal Protection System to join our spacecraft manufacturing team in Munich. You will support the TPS assembly, integration, and qualification for Nyx, working closely with AIT engineers and the GSE team.

You should have a mechanical/electro-mechanical degree, 3+ years welding experience, and familiarity with ESA/NASA quality standards. Attention to traceability, safe work, and continuous improvement are essential.

Qualifications

• Mechanical or Electro-mechanical degree as a technician or Bachelor (2 years after High school)
• 3+ years of experience in welding
• Knowledge of ESA and NASA quality and safety standards
• Plus: experience with Aluminum orbital welding
• A previous experience (2 or 3 years) in building space vehicles would be appreciated

Responsibilities

• Assemble and integrate Thermal Protection System (TPS) hardware, including skin panels, access panels, TPS tiles, and associated mechanical interfaces.
• Perform adhesive bonding, injection, painting, and other manufacturing processes according to qualified procedures.
• Execute dimensional and visual inspections before, during, and after manufacturing and integration activities.
• Support non-destructive inspection (NDI) activities and assist in the interpretation and reporting of inspection results.
• Manufacture, assemble, and maintain dedicated tooling, fixtures, and MGSE required for TPS activities.
• Support the preparation, execution, and documentation of qualification, development, and production campaigns.
• Maintain manufacturing records, complete production documentation, and ensure full traceability of hardware and materials.
• Identify anomalies during manufacturing or integration activities and support troubleshooting, rework, and continuous process improvement.
• Ensure all activities are performed in compliance with safety regulations, cleanliness requirements, and company procedures.

Skills

Task prioritization

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Proactive problem solving

Education

Mechanical/Electro-mechanical degree

Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

We are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refueled in orbit, and which carries cargo – and potentially humans in the longer run.

We want you as a talented Mechanical Technician - Thermal Protection System to help us in our mission by supporting the manufacturing, integration, inspection, and qualification of the Thermal Protection System for our next-generation capsule.

We want you as a talented MAIT Mechanical Technician to help us in our mission by

• Taking care of the assembly of Nyx Capsule, in particular of the Thermal Protection system, in collaboration with AIT mechanical and GSE team, in close relationship with other mechanical technician and under the supervision of the MAIT mechanical engineers
• Potentially supporting other AIT assembly activities in collaboration with AIT Propulsion, AIT Thermal and AIT FGSE engineers

Key Responsibilities

In your capacity as a Mechanical Technician - Thermal Protection System, your role will be continuously evolving, but day-to-day your duties will include:

• Assemble and integrate Thermal Protection System (TPS) hardware, including skin panels, access panels, TPS tiles, and associated mechanical interfaces.
• Perform adhesive bonding, injection, painting, and other manufacturing processes according to qualified procedures.
• Execute dimensional and visual inspections before, during, and after manufacturing and integration activities.
• Support non-destructive inspection (NDI) activities and assist in the interpretation and reporting of inspection results.
• Manufacture, assemble, and maintain dedicated tooling, fixtures, and MGSE required for TPS activities.
• Support the preparation, execution, and documentation of qualification, development, and production campaigns.
• Maintain manufacturing records, complete production documentation, and ensure full traceability of hardware and materials.
• Identify anomalies during manufacturing or integration activities and support troubleshooting, rework, and continuous process improvement.
• Ensure all activities are performed in compliance with safety regulations, cleanliness requirements, and company procedures.

Additional Requirements

• Experience with CFRP structures or composite materials.
• Experience with adhesive dispensing, or painting processes.
• Familiarity with cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environments.
• Experience using metrology equipment or NDI techniques.
• Basic knowledge of aerospace quality standards and traceability requirements.

Qualifications

• Mechanical or Electro-mechanical Degree as a technician or Bachelor (2 years after High school)
• 3+ years of experience in welding,
• Knowledge of ESA and NASA quality and safety standards.
• Plus: experience with Aluminum orbital welding
• A previous experience (2 or 3 years) in building space vehicles would be appreciated

Skills and Behaviours

• Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks
• Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done
• Wishes to accomplish a good job and likes all the details to be covered but without over-quality
• Rigorous and insure a good traceability
• Problem solver, be proactive but always with the team agreement
• Demonstrates behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company's core values of Commitment, Innovation, Trust, Quality, and Teamwork

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We're Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind
• We're Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them
• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.