---
title: 'Deputy Chief Engineer at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/deputy-chief-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-93nz40dk3780'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-18'
---

# Deputy Chief Engineer at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Bordeaux, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-07-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-18
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/68c83d63-723f-4365-886b-983f7025f222

## 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.

## 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)

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