Cryogenic Propulsion AIT Lead — Principal Engineer

The Exploration Company; Castres-Gironde; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking an experienced Propulsion AIT Principal Engineer to lead the Assembly, Integration and Test efforts for two cryogenic propulsion systems. You will provide technical direction across two AIT teams, ensuring safe, rigorous testing from hardware readiness to system delivery.

You will guide test planning, anomaly resolution, and root-cause investigations while mentoring team leaders and coordinating resources to meet performance, quality, schedule, and safety

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in high-technology environments such as spacecraft, launch vehicles or related fields.
• Experience leading AIT activities, or propulsion system test campaigns, across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to manage complex technical investigations and resolve test anomalies.
• Strong understanding of configuration management, verification and requirements compliance.
• Experience with cryogenic systems, liquid propulsion and high‑pressure test operations.
• Ability to travel to test sites and partner facilities as required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for AIT activities of cryogenic propulsion systems.
• Define AIT approach, plans and execution strategy.
• Ensure alignment of AIT with system requirements and milestones.
• Review and approve AIT procedures, tests, reports and changes.
• Lead investigations and resolve complex AIT problems; manage anomalies.
• Oversee preparation, integration, testing and acceptance of propulsion systems.
• Coordinate anomaly investigations and corrective actions with proper retest actions.
• Ensure safety compliance and adherence to procedures during AIT operations.
• Mentor and develop AIT team leaders; balance resources across systems.
• Contribute to integrated project planning including schedules and milestones.
• Identify risks and define mitigation actions for AIT activities.
• Ensure compliance with company processes and regulatory requirements for propulsion AIT.

Skills

AIT leadership and coordination

Cryogenic propulsion experience

Test campaign planning

Technical investigations

Configuration management

Test facilities & data acquisition

Travel ability

Written & verbal communication

English proficiency

French language advantage

Education

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

Propulsion engineering

Job description

The Exploration Company is seeking an experienced Propulsion AIT Principal Engineer to lead the Assembly, Integration and Test efforts for two cryogenic propulsion systems. You will provide technical direction across two AIT teams, ensuring safe, rigorous testing from hardware readiness to system delivery.

You will guide test planning, anomaly resolution, and root-cause investigations while mentoring team leaders and coordinating resources to meet performance, quality, schedule, and safety