Test Development Engineer

The Exploration Company; Bordeaux; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a Test Development Engineer to join our propulsion facilities team in Bordeaux. You will help design, develop, and operate test facilities for future propulsion systems, including cryogenic configurations, with an emphasis on safety and reliability.

You will translate stakeholder needs into facility requirements, perform design trades, and lead end-to-end activities from concept through commissioning and ongoing upgrades, while collaborating with procurement,

Qualifications

• Practical experience in design, development, commissioning, or operation of test facilities for propulsion systems.
• Experience with cryogenic propulsion test facilities is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team and lead discussions.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize test bench requirements from user needs and plan verification methods and tests.
• Translate engine test objectives into facility-level requirements and performance criteria.
• Perform trade-offs to select hardware, software, and location for test facilities.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation actions for safety of personnel and hardware.
• Contribute to cost, schedule, procurement, commissioning, and maintenance planning.
• Prepare and maintain P&IDs of test facilities based on bench requirements.
• Undertake preliminary ground support equipment design with minimal oversight.
• Perform hazard assessments (FMEA/HAZOPs) and recommend design changes as needed.
• Collaborate with test bench teams across design, reviews, manufacturing, and commissioning.
• Coordinate with procurement, AIT, and design teams to balance technical solutions, cost, and lead time.
• Present findings to the team and participate in design reviews and project discussions.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving

Leadership

Effective communication

Autonomous work

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/ mechanical engineering

Master's degree in aerospace/ mechanical engineering

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

P&ID design tools

FMEA/HAZOP experience

Job description

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

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit, and which carries cargo - and potentially humans in the long run. We are also developing different types of propulsion systems to power our future vehicles and missions. As a talented Test Development Engineer, you will be part of the team that is responsible for the development of test facilities for our future propulsion systems.

Key Responsibilities / Tasks:

In your capacity as a Test Development Engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties may include:

• Synthesise test bench requirements from user and operator needs and plan required verification methods and tests.

• Translate engine test objectives and stakeholder needs into facility-level functional and performance requirements.

• Perform technical trade-offs to determine the best choice of hardware, software, equipment, component, location etc for various test facilities.

• Perform risk assessment analyses for future tests and developing mitigation actions to ensure personnel and hardware safety.

• Provide technical inputs to cost, schedule, procurement, commissioning, maintainability, and facility acceptance planning.

• Prepare and maintain P&IDs of test facilities based on test bench requirements and selecting components.

• Undertaking preliminary design of the ground support equipment with minimal oversight.

• Undertake hazard assessments of the test facility design (FMEA and HAZOPs) to determine if any additional changes to the design are required.

• Work with the current test bench team to coordinate end-to-end activities of the development of test facilities including design, reviews, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, test operations, ongoing upgrades and maintenance.

• Work with procurement, AIT and design teams during the development of test facilities to find the right balance of technical solutions, cost and lead time.

• Presenting findings to team members and participating in design reviews and project discussions.

What we would love to see from you:

• Bachelor's, master's or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field (Master's and above preferred).

  • Practical experience in the design, development, commissioning, or operation of test facilities, preferably for rocket propulsion systems.

  • Experience in test facility design for cryogenic propulsion systems is highly desirable. Relevant experience with other cryogenic or high-pressure fluid systems will also be considered.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret technical data, challenge assumptions, and make evidence-based engineering recommendations.

• Proven ability to work autonomously on assigned technical topics while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary engineering team.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.

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.