Deputy Chief Engineer

The Exploration Company; Bordeaux; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship where applicable

Job summary

The Exploration Company seeks a Storm Deputy Chief Engineer to lead design, integration, and testing of the LOX/LCH4 high-thrust cryogenic engine and turbomachinery. You will own engine-level architecture, drive turbopump design, and oversee verification from concept to hot-fire testing.

You will mentor multi-disciplinary teams, manage technical risks, and coordinate with partners and suppliers while upholding safety and performance goals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in propulsion engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace, or related field.
• 10+ years in liquid rocket engine development with depth in engine system design or turbomachinery.
• Deep understanding of cryogenic propulsion systems including turbopump design and rotordynamics.
• Proven track record from concept through detailed design and test of turbomachinery or engine systems.
• Hands-on experience in engine or turbopump hot-fire testing and anomaly resolution.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and arbitrate design trades within engine system domain.
• Experience managing subsystem requirements, interfaces, and verification activities.
• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to work with geographically distributed teams and external partners or suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own the engine system design and integration, including cycle definition and interfaces to turbomachinery and structures.
• Serve as the primary technical owner of turbomachinery design and its integration with preburner and gas generator.
• Lead engine system and turbomachinery test campaigns from component rigs to hot-fire.
• Provide mentorship and technical oversight to engine systems and turbomachinery teams.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks; support design reviews and non-conformance packages.
• Collaborate with Storm Chief Engineer and external partners to balance performance, cost, and schedule.
• Drive continuous improvement in design tools, test methods, and team capabilities.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Turbomachinery

Leadership

English fluency

System design

Test experience

Rotordynamics

Cryogenic propulsion

Problem solving

Master's degree

Education

Master's degree

Job description

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

We are seeking a Storm Deputy Chief Engineer to lead the design, integration, and test of the engine system and turbomachinery for our next-gen high-thrust cryogenic rocket engine (LOX/LCH4). He/she will report to the Storm Chief Engineer and act as their technical deputy, owning engine-level system design and the turbomachinery domain (turbopumps, rotordynamics, bearings and seals, and their integration with the preburner/gas generator) end to end, from architecture through hot-fire testing.

This role is responsible for the technical soundness of the engine system and turbomachinery subsystems, translating the Chief Engineer's overall architecture and vision into detailed design, integration, and validated hardware — while standing in for the Chief Engineer on day-to-day technical arbitration when needed.

The Deputy Chief Engineer owns the technical integrity, performance, and safety of the engine system and turbomachinery throughout their lifecycle — from architecture definition to prototype testing — and works closely with the Storm Chief Engineer and High Thrust Engine Lead to keep engineering excellence and delivery efficiency in balance.

Reporting Line

Reports to: Storm Chief Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Engine System Design: Own the detailed design and integration of the engine system, including cycle definition, propellant supply, ignition, and interfaces between turbomachinery, combustion devices, and structures. Ensure design coherence with the overall Storm architecture set by the Chief Engineer.

• Turbomachinery Ownership: Serve as the primary technical owner of turbopump design — rotordynamics, bearings, seals, hydraulic and thermal design, and manufacturability — and of its integration with the preburner/gas generator. Lead technical reviews and arbitrate turbomachinery-specific trade-offs.

• Test & Validation: Lead engine system and turbomachinery test campaigns, from component-level rig testing through engine hot-fire. Own test planning, instrumentation strategy, data review, and anomaly resolution.

• Mentorship and Technical Oversight: Provide guidance and mentorship to the engine systems and turbomachinery teams, fostering a culture of technical rigor, innovation, and accountability.

• Risk Management & Safety: Identify, assess, and manage technical risks within the engine system and turbomachinery domains. Support critical design and readiness reviews led by the Chief Engineer, and prepare non-conformance/design deviation packages for approval.

• Collaboration: Deputize for the Storm Chief Engineer on technical matters as required, including partner and supplier interactions on turbomachinery and engine systems. Coordinate closely with program management and other engineering domains to balance performance, cost, and schedule.

• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in engine system and turbomachinery design tools, test methods, and team capability. Ensure lessons learned from testing are captured and fed back into design.

What we would love to see from you:

• A minimum of a master's degree in propulsion engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.

• Over 10 years of experience in liquid rocket engine development, with significant depth in engine system design and/or turbomachinery.

• Deep understanding of cryogenic propulsion systems, including turbopump design, rotordynamics, and hot-gas systems.

• Proven track record of taking turbomachinery or engine systems from concept through detailed design and test.

• Hands-on experience in engine or turbopump hot-fire/rig testing and anomaly resolution.

• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and arbitrate design trades within the engine system domain.

• Experience managing subsystem-level requirements, interfaces, and verification activities.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound technical decisions under uncertainty, schedule, and cost pressure.

• Ability to work with geographically distributed teams and coordinate with external partners or suppliers.

• Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication.

• Positive, adaptable, and collaborative mindset.

  Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, including Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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?

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.

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.