---
title: 'Feed System Functional Engineer at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/feed-system-functional-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-2t2hsybe87xt'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Feed System Functional Engineer at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Bordeaux, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/f9da148f-3ae8-447a-91d9-232a72df84ea

## Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation. You will own the functional architecture and performance of the propellant feed system for a storable bipropellant propulsion system (MON3-MMH system). You will be responsible for ensuring the feed system delivers propellants to the thrusters within required specifications across the full mission envelope — from ground fill through operation, and recovery.

## Role Overview

System Architecture

- Define and maintain the functional architecture of the feed system including propellant tanks, lines, valves, filters, thrusters and instrumentation.
- Perform system-level sizing, sensitivity analyses and functional simulations

System Development

- Define functional requirements for subsystems based on propellant system analyses
- Identify key verification and validation steps required at the system and subsystem level to demonstrate compliance with specification

Modeling & Analysis

- Develop and maintain fluid system models (steady-state and transient) to predict pressure drop, flow rates, water hammer, thruster cross-coupling, and priming behavior.
- Verify compliance between system nominal and off-nominal operation with subsystem operational domains (such as thruster envelope).
- Analyze failure modes (leakage, contamination, cavitation, fluid hammer) and define mitigation strategies and design margins.

Verification & Test

- Lead functional and performance verification: cold-flow, functional and hot-fire tests from component to assembly level .
- Correlate test data against predictive models and update margins/requirements accordingly.

Integration Support

- Support integration, qualification, and operations reviews (design reviews, FMEA, test readiness reviews).
- Interface across design, test, and operations functions throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

Location You will perform your duties principally at the Company's premises in Bordeaux and may be required to travel from time to time to our company’s premises in Munich in the course of your duties.

What we would love to see from you

- Master’s and/or PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field
- Proven experience with python and 0D - 1D fluid simulation tools (model development and analyses) - (e.g., EcosimPro or equivalent)
- Hands-on experience in propulsion system design for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or space capsules, with direct exposure to liquid propulsion architectures.
- Proven experience in version control systems and tools (e.g., Git or SVN)
- Deep understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and compressible flow
- Experience with storable propulsion system is a plus
- Fluency in English
- German or French are an asset

Skills and Behaviours:

- A hands-on approach to problem-solving, combined with a collaborative mindset to work across multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask
- Capability of working autonomously whilst collaborating productively with remote teams
- Positive and flexible attitude in a constantly evolving environment
- Grit to get the job done
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
- Behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Commitment, Innovation, Trust, Quality, and Teamwork

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