---
title: 'Advanced Projects Ground Operations at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/advanced-projects-ground-operations-the-exploration-company-munich-vgypsddaqsw1'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Advanced Projects Ground Operations at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Munich, Germany
- **Compensation:** €62k–€88k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-02-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/09b8179a-0534-4344-9bfe-f8a37bdf3a51/application

**Skills:** System engineering, Project management, Mechanical systems design, Fluidic systems design, Control systems design, Spacecraft operations, Launch operations, Cryogenic process plants, European regulations (FSOA, REACH, Machine Directive, EN 9100), English language proficiency, German language proficiency, French language proficiency, Italian language proficiency, Launch operations experience, Cryogenic process plant experience

> The Advanced Projects Ground Operations & Industrialization Engineer conceptualizes ground segment infrastructures, operations, and logistics for space orbital vehicles. The role involves developing architecture for in-orbit services and launch missions, performing technical trade-offs, and managing industrializatio...

## Job description

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

Our Advanced Projects unit is dedicated to expanding and complementing these capabilities by conceptualizing and pre-developing new technologies, products and programs.

We want you as a talented ground operations & industrialization engineer to help us in our mission by conceptualizing ground segment infrastructures, operations, production processes, facilities and logistics in early project phases. You will work closely with the flight system developers, program managers, system engineers and MAIT department.

## Key Responsibilities

As a ground operations & industrialization engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day-to-day your duties will include:

- Develop ground segment architectures for end-to-end product concepts, such as in-orbit services, launch services or exploration missions.
- Describe high-level concepts of operations for integrated vehicles, infrastructures and subsystems
- Describe high-level manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing processes for integrated vehicles and subsystems
- Describe high-level construction and maintenance plans for infrastructures
- Describe high-level logistics concepts for end-to-end programs
- Perform technical trade-offs with respect to manufacturability and operability of flight systems
- Specify programmatic and technical requirements and budgets for ground segment concepts
- Provide cost estimates for ground segment facilities and operations
- Provide industrialization plans, including make-or-buy strategy and industrial consortium suggestions
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams developing end-to-end product concepts
- Support the commercial and program teams in writing and negotiating proposals for future projects
- Own advanced project contract work packages, including activity planning, supplier and subcontractor management and reporting to project management and/or the space agency

What we would love to see from you

## Qualifications

- Advanced degree (MSc) in aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, or another related field
- 5+ years proven working experience in spacecraft operations, production or testing
- Experience with launch operations or cryogenic process plants is a plus
- Strong system engineering and project management skills
- Hands-on design and analysis skills for mechanical, fluidic and control systems
- Familiarity with relevant European regulations, such as the FSOA, REACH, Machine Directive, EN 9100
- Fluent in English. German, French, and Italian are assets

## Skills and Behaviours

- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong analysis and problem-solving skills
- Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks
- Working with high independency, but high alignment within a team
- Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done
- Demonstrates behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Vision, Competence, Integrity, and Passion

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.

## About The Exploration Company

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Exploration Company (TEC) is building a full-stack space transportation platform, including a reusable space capsule (Nyx) and a high-thrust rocket engine (Storm), to democratize access to space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Munich, Germany (HQ); additional offices in Bordeaux (France), Luxembourg, Turin (Italy), Houston (Texas, USA), and Dubai/Abu Dhabi (UAE)
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Hélène Huby (CEO) and a team of aerospace veterans

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Space transportation, aerospace engineering, orbital logistics
- **Target customers**: Space station operators, satellite operators, government space agencies (e.g., NASA), commercial space companies (B2B, B2G)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "To build space vehicles for humanity, enabling everyone to participate peacefully in the building of our human future." [exploration.space](https://exploration.space/about)

## Products & Services
- **Nyx**: A reusable space capsule designed to dock with any space station, capable of carrying cargo (and eventually crew) to low-Earth orbit. It is the company’s first commercial vehicle.
- **Storm**: A high-thrust, staged-combustion rocket engine delivering up to 180 tons of thrust, designed to power a globally competitive, reusable launcher.
- **Mission Bikini**: A first demonstrator capsule built for ballistic reentry, completed from paper sketch to flight-ready in nine months.
- **Mission Possible**: A second demonstrator capsule built for controlled re-entry and recovery with cargo, completed in two years.
- **Orbital Propulsion**: In-house development of avionics, flight software, guidance/navigation/control (GNC), and reusable thrusters.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Total Funding**: $210.06M (Series B, with a $160M round raised approximately two years ago) [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/the-exploration-company)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Backed by tier-one investors; first European company to sign a Space Act Agreement with NASA; board includes figures like Mike Griffin (former NASA Administrator) and Yo-Yo Ma (cellist and board advisor) [exploration.space](https://exploration.space/about)
- **Growth Signals**: 10 missions already booked; two demonstrator capsules built in under three years; team of 450+ employees spanning 35 nationalities; offices in 6 locations across Europe, the US, and the UAE; named one of the fastest-growing space companies worldwide.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Speed of execution**: Demonstrated ability to go from concept to flight-ready hardware in 9–24 months, far faster than traditional aerospace.
- **Reusability focus**: Both Nyx and Storm are designed for rapid reuse, dramatically lowering per-mission costs.
- **Open-source vehicle design**: TEC’s approach is intentionally collaborative, fostering partnerships across countries and with NASA.
- **Full-stack capability**: Controls the entire space transportation stack (capsule, engine, avionics, software), reducing dependency on external suppliers.
- **European base with global reach**: Positioned as a key European player in the new space economy, with strong government and commercial ties.

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercial cargo missions**: First priority is launching Nyx to serve low-Earth orbit space stations (both public and private).
- **Engine development**: Continuing work on Storm to power a future European launcher.
- **International expansion**: Deepening presence in the US (Houston office) and UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi office).
- **Talent scaling**: Growing the team from 450+ to meet mission milestones, with a focus on engineering, production, and digital roles.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasizes speed, execution, and ownership. Values include Excellence, Teamwork, Integrity, and "Space for everyone." The company prides itself on gathering diverse, international talent from both space and non-space backgrounds.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Offers flexibility and remote work opportunities depending on the role, but encourages a hybrid approach where possible. [exploration.space](https://www.exploration.space/careers)
- **Relocation Support**: Yes, the company provides relocation assistance and work permit/visa support for new hires.
- **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space vehicles from day one; internal mobility encouraged; background check required for all offers.
- **Engineering Culture**: Leadership includes aerospace veterans who have worked on major global space programs. The team is 450+ strong, representing 35 nationalities, with a flat, fast-moving structure.

## Sources
1. [exploration.space - Home](https://exploration.space/)
2. [exploration.space - About](https://exploration.space/about)
3. [exploration.space - Careers](https://www.exploration.space/careers)
4. [cbinsights.com - The Exploration Company](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/the-exploration-company)
5. [Wikipedia - The Exploration Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exploration_Company)

## Other roles at The Exploration Company

- [Senior Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-software-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-jnsjg431w510) — Munich, Germany
- [Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-software-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-yc91tetavgaq) — Munich, Germany
- [Fluid Systems Development Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/fluid-systems-development-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-e70h236r2z2a) — Munich, Germany
- [Propulsion Functional Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-functional-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-f5ndt62c0evx) — Munich, Germany
- [Internship - Radiation Testing of Electronic Components and Test Automation](https://feeny.ai/job/internship-radiation-testing-of-electronic-components-and-test-automation-the-dyybdp5p85c9) — Munich, Germany
- [ISS Integration & Certification Senior Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/iss-integration-certification-senior-engineer-the-exploration-company-houston-4ydmz8mg1raq) — Houston, TX
- [MAIT Additive Manufacturing Materials Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/mait-additive-manufacturing-materials-intern-the-exploration-company-dusseldorf-gr53a5aqfqn3) — Düsseldorf, Germany
- [Senior Environment Health & Safety Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-environment-health-safety-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-jfyt4qx5psbc) — Munich, Germany
- [Propulsion AIT Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-ait-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-s3t33mm6q6jv) — Bordeaux, France
- [Senior Avionics System Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-avionics-system-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-wqc8hjq32xhq) — Munich, Germany