---
title: 'Storm Test Bench Program Manager at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/storm-test-bench-program-manager-the-exploration-company-munich-kgv6fy9ztq8y'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-06'
---

# Storm Test Bench Program Manager at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Munich, Germany
- **Compensation:** €84k–€130k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-06-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/70e2ffc9-5e7e-4e89-bdc3-ce9888d6a8e9/application

**Skills:** Program management, Schedule planning, Budgeting, Risk management, Procurement, Propulsion testing, Cryogenic systems, Hazardous operations, LOX/methane engine testing, ECSS standards, ESA-style reviews, Environmental compliance, Permitting, French language, German language

> Responsible for driving the on-time delivery of the Storm engine test bench development program, including schedule, scope, and cost tracking. Acts as the primary point of contact for identifying and securing a suitable test bench location while coordinating cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers.

## Job description

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

Storm is TEC’s high-performance liquid rocket engine program, developed to support next-generation launch and space transportation applications. The Storm development strategy relies heavily on ground testing, from early development models to qualification and acceptance campaigns. The engine test bench is a critical enabler of the program, and its on-time delivery is essential to maintain the Storm development schedule.

As Storm Engine Test Bench Program Manager, you are responsible for driving the on-time delivery of the Storm engine test bench development program. You will ensure execution discipline across the bench development workstream: integrating schedules, tracking deliverables, coordinating stakeholders and suppliers, anticipating blockers, and escalating decisions to keep the program on track. In addition, you will act as the primary point of contact for identifying and securing a suitable test bench location, coordinating the site selection process with internal stakeholders and external parties.

## Key responsibilities

Program planning and delivery (schedule, scope, cost tracking)

- Build, maintain, and continuously improve the integrated test bench delivery plan (design maturity gates, procurement lead times, manufacturing, installation, integration, and commissioning support activities).
- Own the critical path, dependencies, and milestone readiness criteria (from a delivery perspective).
- Track progress, identify schedule threats early, and drive recovery plans (re-sequencing, parallelization, expediting, resourcing proposals).
- Maintain program routines (weekly reviews, action tracking, decision logs) to ensure execution discipline.

Cross-functional coordination and communication

- Animate weekly/monthly routines: bench program reviews, schedule reviews, and interface meetings
- Ensure alignment between propulsion engineering, test engineering, facilities/infrastructure, procurement, quality, and site teams
- Prepare concise reporting for program leadership: status, risks, mitigation, upcoming decisions, and milestone readiness
- Coordinate preparation of key internal reviews (bench concept reviews, design/package readiness, delivery readiness checkpoints)

Test bench location identification and site selection (point of contact)

- Act as the single point of contact to identify, assess, and secure a test bench location aligned with the Storm schedule and development needs.
- Coordinate the site selection process (timeline, stakeholder alignment, decision gates, and documentation) and ensure decisions are taken in time to protect the critical path.
- With support from the engineering team (who define requirements and technical needs), consolidate the test site needs impacting the choice of location and translate them into:
- A practical location assessment checklist (capabilities, utilities, access, constraints)
- A comparison of candidate sites (schedule, cost, readiness, risks)
- Clear decision packages for leadership (trade-offs, recommended option, fallback plans)
- Coordinate interfaces with external stakeholders as needed (site operators, landlords/partners, utilities, local service providers), in alignment with internal owners.

Procurement and supplier coordination

- Coordinate long-lead procurement tracking
- Support supplier selection and onboarding (RFI/RFQ process coordination, delivery tracking, expediting)
- Monitor supplier performance and ensure timely resolution of delivery issues, NCR handling coordination, and logistics readiness
- Ensure documentation deliverables from suppliers are collected and integrated

Integration and commissioning readiness support

- Ensure prerequisites for integration/commissioning are planned and tracked: procedures availability, resources, tooling, spares, training needs and documentation readiness (owned by responsible teams)
- Track open points, coordinate closure plans, and ensure readiness evidence is available for management decisions.
- Support lessons-learned capture and incorporation into the next iterations of bench capability

What we would like to see from you

- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or similar
- Significant experience delivering complex test infrastructure or propulsion tests programs
- Proven program management experience (planning, budgeting, risk, suppliers)
- Strong understanding of propulsion testing, cryogenic systems, and hazardous operations
- Experience with LOX/methane engine testing or cryogenic facilities
- Familiarity with European space programs and standards (e.g. ECSS, ESA‑style reviews)
- Experience with regulated industrial sites, permitting, or environmental compliance
- Background in high‑cadence test operations
- Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and make sound technical and operational decisions
- Strong ownership and delivery mindset
- Systems‑level thinking and interface management
- Calm decision‑making during high‑pressure test activities
- Strong documentation and reporting discipline
- Fluent in English; French or German is a plus.

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

- [Welding Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/welding-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-0kgzkww4cjpd) — Bordeaux, France
- [Head of Electronics & software](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-electronics-software-the-exploration-company-munich-3yxtwzah13vy) — Munich, Germany
- [TCS and ECLSS Certification Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/tcs-and-eclss-certification-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-rqv9dzq7gzfa) — Bordeaux, France
- [Lead Commercial Sales](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-commercial-sales-the-exploration-company-munich-y0f88sgexmm6) — Munich, Germany
- [Storm Test Bench Principal Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/storm-test-bench-principal-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-4kdfjx6tgmck) — Bordeaux, France
- [IT Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/it-administrator-the-exploration-company-turin-ntapn0kbmp7t) — Turin, Italy
- [Non-Destructive Testing Technician – Level 2](https://feeny.ai/job/non-destructive-testing-technician-level-2-the-exploration-company-munich-xcyjx5zjyph0) — Munich, Germany
- [Test Development Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/test-development-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-bbcfd95xqc33) — Bordeaux, France
- [MAIT Electrical and Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mait-electrical-and-test-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-hnt0tk61xr1s) — Munich, Germany
- [Senior MAIT Electrical and Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mait-electrical-and-test-engineer-the-exploration-company-munich-zf5bjzcghhwf) — Munich, Germany