AIT Senior Test Technician

Mechanical Analysis Engineer @ The Exploration Company; München; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a hands-on AIT Senior Test Technician to support environmental and functional testing of spacecraft sub-systems. You will prepare, assemble, and run tests like vibration, shock, and TVAC, ensuring safety, quality, and traceability of results.

Ideal candidates have a technical aerospace background, strong documentation skills, and the ability to guide junior technicians in a fast-paced development environment. English communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or vocational training in aerospace, electronics, mechatronics, industrial systems, or related technical field.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial testing, or other high-reliability environments.
• Hands-on experience with environmental testing equipment such as vibration tables, thermal chambers, or instrumentation systems.
• Familiarity with laboratory operations, instrumentation installation, and mechanical integration activities.
• Experience with calibrated equipment, controlled procedures, and technical documentation is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Set up, integrate, and execute environmental tests (vibration, shock, TVAC) for spacecraft sub-systems and hardware.
• Prepare and execute experimental campaigns for prototype qualification (e.g., valves).
• Train junior technicians to support concurrent qualification campaigns.
• Prepare hardware, tooling, instrumentation, and GSE for test campaigns.
• Install thermocouples, accelerometers, harnessing, and instrumentation per test procedures.

Skills

Rigorous attention to detail

Structured and disciplined

Hands-on mindset

English communication

Team player

Problem-solving

Education

Technical degree or vocational training in aerospace/electronics/mechatronics/industrial systems

Tools

Vibration testing equipment

TVAC/thermal vacuum equipment

Instrumentation systems

Laboratory/calibration procedures

Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building spacecrafts for humanity.

We are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that caneventually be refueled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

We are looking for a hands-on and rigorous AIT Senior Test Technician (proto) to support the preparation, integration, execution, and reporting of environmental and functional test activities for spacecraft sub-systems and hardware.

This role is critical to ensuring that all testing activities are executed safely, accurately, and according to procedures and quality standards. The ideal candidate is meticulous, structured, technically skilled, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced aerospace development environment.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Test Preparation & Execution

• Be responsible for the setup, integration, and execution of environmental tests including:

  • Vibration testing

  • Shock testing

  • Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing

  • Ancillary testing activities

• Take ownership of the preparation and execution of experimental campaigns for the qualification of prototypes of components developed internally, such as valves

  • MGSE machining (milling, drilling, helicoil installation, ...)

  • FGSE preparation (valves, pressure controllers, ...)

• Guide and train Junior Technicians to support on the activities described above when multiple qualification campaign are executed concurrently

• Prepare hardware, tooling, instrumentation, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for test campaigns taking ownership of their readiness.

• Install thermocouples, accelerometers, harnessing, and instrumentation according to test procedures and engineering requirements.

• Operate environmental test equipment including vibration shaker, shock test facility, TVAC facility, and associated monitoring systems.

• Perform pre-test and post-test inspections of test setups.

• Support testing activities both internally and at external test facilities.

Procedures, Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare and execute test procedures with adherence to safety, cleanliness, and quality standards.

• Ensure all operations are properly documented and traceable.

• Report, anomalies, and observations during operations.

• Verify that tools, instrumentation, and measurement equipment comply with calibration requirements before use.

Tooling, Equipment & Facility Support

• Maintain and organize tooling, sensors, adapters, cables, and test equipment.

• Monitor the condition and calibration status of test assets and measurement equipment.

• Perform first-level maintenance and troubleshooting on test equipment and support systems.

• Support the integration and validation of new tooling and test setups.

• Assist engineers in defining and improving test processes, setups, and operational workflows.

• Ensure laboratory and test areas remain organized, safe, and operationally ready.

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical degree or vocational training in aerospace, electronics, mechatronics, industrial systems, or a related technical field.

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial testing, or other high-reliability technical environments.

• Hands‑on experience with environmental testing equipment such as vibration tables, thermal chambers, or instrumentation systems is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with laboratory operations, instrumentation installation, and mechanical integration activities.

• Experience working with calibrated equipment, controlled procedures, and technical documentation is a strong plus.

Expected Technical Skills

• Ability to read and follow technical procedures and engineering drawings.

• Experience with mechanical assembly and test setups.

• Basic understanding of sensors and instrumentation systems.

• Familiarity with torque tools, measurement equipment, and laboratory/test equipment.

• Knowledge of safety procedures related to environmental testing activities.

• Basic troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities in technical environments.

Personal Qualities

• Strong rigor and attention to detail.

• Structured and disciplined way of working.

• Hands‑on mindset with a proactive attitude.

• Ability to identify and communicate anomalies clearly and accurately.

• Team player with good communication skills.

• Reliable, organized, and accountable.

• Comfortable working in fast-paced and evolving environments.

• Excellent communication skills in English.

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.