The Exploration Company

In-Orbit Services Fault Management Engineer at The Exploration Company (Munich, Germany)

The Exploration Company· Munich, Germany· €42k–€83k·

Role details

Salary
€42k–€83k
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time
Work auth
Required
Skills
Fault tree analysis (FTA)Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA)Reliability block diagramsFault management methodologiesFDIR strategy definitionValidation planning
Benefits

Relocation Assistance · Visa Sponsorship Where Applicable · Background Check Support

The Exploration Company at a glance

European space-transport startup building Nyx, a reusable cargo capsule, and Storm, a high-thrust rocket engine.

The Exploration Company is building a full-stack space transportation platform out of Europe: Nyx, a reusable cargo capsule that docks with space stations in low-Earth orbit and returns cargo to Earth, and Storm, a high-thrust staged-combustion rocket engine. It designs its own thrusters, avionics, flight software, and heat shield in-house.

$230M raised · latest: Series B · $160M · 2024 · backed by Balderton Capital, Plural, Bessemer Venture Partners, NGP Capital

Summary

Responsible for ensuring the reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety of orbital service vehicles. Defines fault management strategies, leads RAMS analyses, and collaborates with engineering teams to support mission success.

Job description

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

Our In-Orbit Services unit is dedicated to expanding and complementing these capabilities by conceptualizing and developing new technologies, products and programs.

We are seeking a methodical Fault Management Engineer to help us strike the right balance between performance and reliability. The In-Orbit Services Fault Management Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety of orbital service vehicles and systems. This role is central to the design, development, and operational assurance of in-orbit service missions, supporting both technical risk reduction and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

  • Fault Management Strategy:
  • Define, implement and validate fault management strategies, including Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic for in-orbit service vehicles.
  • Coordinate between hardware and flight software teams to architect robust and lean fault management solutions.
  • RAMS Analyses & Assurance:
  • Lead the definition and execution of fault tree analyses (FTA) and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA) to identify and mitigate potential failure modes.
  • Perform reliability and availability prediction studies and allocate reliability targets to subsystems and equipment.
  • Conduct hazard analyses for ground, orbital, and re-entry phases, ensuring compliance with relevant safety requirements, including the safety analysis for launch authorities.
  • Continuous Improvement:
  • Collect and analyze in-orbit data to inform lessons learned and drive improvements in fault management and overall system reliability.
  • Support the creation and improvement of RAMS analysis tools and technical documentation.
  • Collaboration & Communication:
  • Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, thermal, avionics, software, operations, systems) to integrate RAMS and fault management requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Prepare and present technical data, recommendations, and reports to internal and external stakeholders.

What we would love to see from you In the role of In-Orbit Services Fault Management Engineer, ideally you will have the following:

  • Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in engineering, aerospace, or a related field; specialization in electronics, system engineering or fault management is a plus.
  • Technical skills: Proficiency in reliability tools (FMECA, FTA, reliability block diagrams) and fault management methodologies.
  • Experience: Hands-on experience with spacecraft FDIR strategy definition and validation planning and execution.
  • Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Feedback: Willingness to give proactive and mindful feedback across all company levels.
  • Mindset: Highly motivated to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up environment.
  • Languages: Fluent in English.

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.

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.

Why work at The Exploration Company

  • 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
  • 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.

Application questions