HIL Engineer - Spacecraft Propulsion Test Bench

The Exploration Company

Bordeaux

On-site

EUR 65,000 - 95,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to design, build, and operate HIL platforms for verifying propulsion electronics and software. You will connect real hardware to real-time simulations, automate testing, and develop emulator hardware for sensors and actuators.

You will work with propulsion, embedded software, power electronics, and control systems engineers to validate Huracan from simulation through laboratory testing, ensuring repeatability and traceability of

Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
Hands-on experience building and operating HIL test benches for closed-loop control systems (engine, motor, or actuator controllers)
Proficiency in LabVIEW, including desktop and real-time application development
Hands-on experience with NI VeriStand in real-time test environments, including integration of simulation models (e.g., Simulink, FMU, or C/C++)
Experience emulating sensors and actuators at the electrical level and working with motor drives or inverters
Familiarity with NI TestStand for test automation and execution management
Solid understanding of test platform architectures, hardware/software integration, and real-time systems
Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, with a structured and methodical approach
Ability to write and integrate Python scripts to extend test workflows or support automation tasks

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain the HIL test environment for our engine propulsion system, from engine controller board level up to the integrated propulsion subsystem
Define and implement the hardware and software architecture of the propulsion HIL bench, including signal conditioning, load and fault-insertion hardware, and real-time targets
Integrate real-time plant models into NI VeriStand and close the loop with the engine control unit
Emulate and simulate sensors with flight-representative electrical characteristics
Emulate or integrate actuators and power electronics, such as valve drivers, motor inverters, igniters
Develop LabVIEW-based applications for desktop and real-time platforms (PXI, cRIO)
Implement fault injection at electrical and model level to verify start-up, shutdown, and abort sequences
Support test execution, data acquisition, logging, and automated reporting during verification campaigns
Validate and correlate simulation models with test data with propulsion team
Create and maintain technical documentation, including interface definitions and user guides
Debug and troubleshoot across bench, models, and unit under test
Deliver robust, scalable HIL platform reusable across configurations
Run control loops and plant models at required rates using NI hardware and FPGA as needed
Define test automation workflows using NI TestStand and integrate into verification process
Coordinate with propulsion, avionics, and flight software engineers to ensure traceability
Maintain configuration control to ensure test reproducibility
Contribute to evolution of HiL infrastructure emphasizing performance and reliability
Ensure space-grade quality and safety standards meet project requirements