---
title: 'Senior Additive Manufacturing Materials Engineer at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-additive-manufacturing-materials-engineer-the-exploration-company-k76fd9jmjnsr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Senior Additive Manufacturing Materials Engineer at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Düsseldorf, Germany
- **Compensation:** €73k–€100k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/10cd4493-cdde-43a5-a236-05cc466c64f0/application

> The Senior Additive Manufacturing Materials Engineer leads the qualification and development of AM processes for space propulsion products, including DED and powder bed fusion. Responsibilities include alloy development, machine operation, certification to NASA and aerospace standards, and troubleshooting to enhance...

## Job description

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

In addition to Nyx, we are actively developing Typhoon, the largest full-flow staged combustion engine ever to be built in Europe. We are looking for a talented Senior Additive Manufacturing Materials Engineer to join our mission and contribute significantly to the development and in-house production of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for our propulsion products powering all our space vehicles.

## Role Overview

The ideal candidate will play a key role in the qualification and development of AM processes, including the definition and characterization of print parameters for new materials on larger, more productive machines. This role also involves supporting the certification of AM components to meet high industry standards, including NASA regulations. You will help implement large-scale Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes and develop functionally graded or bi-metallic components. This is a versatile position with broad hands-on responsibilities in additive manufacturing reporting to TEC's Lead for AM.

## Key Responsibilities

- Develop and execute materials development and maturation plans for new processes using established alloys, and for existing processes with new alloys.
- Serve as a Materials Engineer for AM projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support the development and production of innovative components and systems.
- Operate AM machines in a development environment as needed.
- Assist in the development of new alloys for AM, including maturation of atomization methods and creation of powder specifications.
- Support the qualification and testing of AM processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and performance requirements.
- Responsible for onsite materials and powder characterization equipment & laboratory, including selection of equipment, budget for consumables and maintenance, training and standard operating procedures.
- Collaborate on the certification of AM processes and parts, particularly those required to meet NASA and aerospace standards.
- Develop post-process heat treatment procedures and specifications.
- Document results and contribute to technical reports and procedures related to AM process qualification and development.
- Troubleshoot and improve AM processes for enhanced performance and reliability.
- Stay up to date with the latest advancements in AM technologies and materials.
- Act as an onsite quality organization delegate.

## Qualifications

- Engineering degree in Materials Science , Metallurgy, Welding or a related field.
- Experience with AM processes such as laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition.
- Strong knowledge of material properties, behavior, testing, and characterization—especially metals used in aerospace propulsion applications.
- Familiarity with additive manufacturing standards, including NASA or aerospace industry standards, is highly desirable.
- Experience working in an ISO 9001 or similar manufacturing environment producing and delivering hardware.
- Extreme sense of ownership and responsibility for work assigned, striving to complete on-time , exceptional quality, and under budget.
- Strong analytical skills and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in both internal and external teams.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to a dynamic work environment.

## Preferred Skills

- Experience with materials modeling, including microstructure and property prediction.
- Proficiency in CAD and simulation software (e.g., NX Suite, ANSYS).
- Familiarity with process qualification and statistical analysis tools.
- Knowledge of quality control methodologies for AM parts, including non-destructive testing (NDT).

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. According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States. The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

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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