---
title: 'HIL Engineer — Huracan Rocket Engine at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/hil-engineer-huracan-rocket-engine-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-emhstqpnghzd'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# HIL Engineer — Huracan Rocket Engine at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Bordeaux, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-10-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/9182c472-88c7-4c8d-9e64-3364d59f82dc

## Job description

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

## About the role

The Exploration Company is developing Huracan, a cryogenic rocket engine. The engine integrates e-pumps, power electronics, valves, embedded software, and control systems. We are seeking a Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to develop and operate HIL platforms for verifying the ECU, PDU, Valve Controller, inverter, electric pumps, and associated software. You will connect real hardware to real-time simulations, automate testing and data analysis, and develop emulator hardware for sensors, actuators, interfaces, and subsystem behaviour. You will verify nominal and fault conditions while ensuring test repeatability, traceability, and early fault detection. You will work closely with propulsion, embedded-software, power-electronics, control-systems, and hardware engineers to validate Huracan from simulation through laboratory testing.

## Key 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 (e.g., feed system, valves, pumps and motors, combustion chamber, thermal behaviour) into NI VeriStand and close the loop with the engine control unit
- Emulate and simulate the sensors the controller depends on (e.g., pressure transducers, thermocouples and RTDs, flow meters, position and speed feedback) with flight-representative electrical characteristics
- Emulate or integrate actuators and power electronics, such as valve drivers, motor inverters, igniters, and their control units, as real hardware, electrical loads, or models
- Develop LabVIEW-based applications for desktop and real-time platforms (e.g., PXI, cRIO), including custom devices and bus interfaces (e.g., CAN, RS-422/485, Ethernet)
- Implement fault injection at the electrical and model level to verify engine start-up, shutdown, and abort sequences as well as FDIR behaviour
- Support test execution, data acquisition, logging, and automated reporting during verification campaigns
- Validate and correlate simulation models against component-level and engine test data together with the propulsion team
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including architecture specifications, interface definitions, model and code documentation, and user guides
- Debug and troubleshoot across the bench, the models, and the unit under test, and continuously improve the test platform

You will be in charge of

- Delivering a robust and scalable HIL platform whose models, I/O configuration, and test sequences can be reused across engine configurations and projects
- Running control loops and plant models deterministically at the rates the engine controller requires, using NI hardware, LabVIEW RT, and FPGA where timing demands it
- Defining test automation workflows using NI TestStand and integrating them into the propulsion and system-level verification process
- Coordinating closely with propulsion, avionics, and flight software engineers to ensure requirements traceability and test coverage
- Keeping models, bench hardware, and test software under configuration control so that every test run is reproducible
- Contributing to the continuous evolution of our HiL infrastructure, with an emphasis on performance, reliability, and maintainability
- Ensuring all solutions meet space-grade quality and safety standards, aligned with project requirements

Must-Have Skills and 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., analog, thermocouple/RTD, frequency and PWM, discrete I/O) 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

Nice-to-Have

- Experience with LabVIEW FPGA, for example for high-speed sensor emulation or motor and inverter simulation
- Background in liquid rocket propulsion or in fluid and thermal system modelling
- Experience with fault-insertion hardware and FDIR verification
- Familiarity with ECSS standards or equivalent aerospace standards such as DO-178C
- Experience supporting engine or integrated system test campaigns

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

- [Propulsion Engineer - Huracan Components](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-huracan-components-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-hm7d92nm0je9) — Bordeaux, France
- [Intern- Office & Site Management](https://feeny.ai/job/intern-office-site-management-the-exploration-company-munich-0804jw3gzwpp) — Munich, Germany
- [Lead European Institutions and French Public Affairs](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-european-institutions-and-french-public-affairs-the-exploration-company-f5qg5721tw4a) — France
- [Project Security Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/project-security-officer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-xzdts7mgjyqe) — Bordeaux, France
- [Deputy Flight Software Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/deputy-flight-software-lead-the-exploration-company-munich-bs353xwvzqjx) — Munich, Germany
- [Lead Procurement In-House Engine development](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-procurement-in-house-engine-development-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-dmwhg1x0e1ns) — Bordeaux, France
- [Lead Project Manager Dual Use In-Orbit Services](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-project-manager-dual-use-in-orbit-services-the-exploration-company-munich-14vx6hjewz7z) — Munich, Germany
- [Lead Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-supply-chain-the-exploration-company-munich-ghy6tyn015aq) — Munich, Germany
- [Propulsion Data & Modeling Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-data-modeling-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-zpbm7wfw8vtq) — Bordeaux, France
- [Propulsion GSE Team Leader](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-gse-team-leader-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-t8ncqxzja0bd) — Bordeaux, France