---
title: 'Welding Engineer at The Exploration Company'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/welding-engineer-the-exploration-company-bordeaux-0kgzkww4cjpd'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-06'
---

# Welding Engineer at The Exploration Company

- **Company:** [The Exploration Company](https://feeny.ai/companies/the-exploration-company)
- **Location:** Bordeaux, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-11-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/the-exploration-company/0d39a959-8a4d-4244-a2c8-cb947b22018b

## Job description

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

We are developing the technologies and capabilities needed to make space exploration more accessible. We are looking for a Welding Specialist Engineer to support the industrialization and production readiness of our next-generation thruster hardware, including EBW activities, orbital welding and laser-welded components for a high-thrust engine. This is an intermediate-level engineering role, working closely with and under the technical guidance of our Senior Welding Specialist Engineer. You will support electron beam welding (EBW) for our new thruster, laser-welding activities for a high-thrust engine and participate on the manufacturing of the orbital welding for the our Nyx capsule propulsion. You will bring practical knowledge and you will work with design, manufacturing, quality and production teams to turn robust welding requirements into repeatable, well-documented manufacturing processes.

## What you will do

- Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of EBW processes for the new thruster and laser-welding processes for our high-thrust engine.
- Support orbital welding activities (being a qualified welder and support non conformance management).
- Draft, review and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and related welding documentation; support procedure qualification and qualification records in accordance with applicable NASA requirements and program flow-downs.
- Support the assessment of weldability, joint design and manufacturing risks, working with design and manufacturing engineering colleagues.
- Prepare and maintain clear welding documentation, including process records, qualification evidence and traceability information.
- Help investigate welding non-conformities and manufacturing issues, support root-cause analysis, and follow corrective actions through to closure.
- Coordinate with qualified welding operators and production teams to ensure that approved procedures are understood and followed; this role focuses on engineering support and does not replace operator qualification or authorization.
- Apply and develop your knowledge of TIG and plasma welding, including their process capabilities, limitations and quality considerations.
- Work under the direction of the Senior Welding Specialist Engineer, progressively taking ownership of defined work packages and contributing to technical reviews.
- Promote safe, disciplined and quality-focused manufacturing practices.

## What you bring

- A degree or equivalent practical experience in welding engineering, materials or manufacturing engineering, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional experience in welding or manufacturing engineering, with the ability to contribute independently to defined tasks while seeking guidance on complex or novel issues.
- Practical knowledge of TIG and plasma welding, with experience or familiarity in laser welding or other precision joining processes.
- A strong interest in electron beam welding and the ability to support process development, qualification and production-readiness activities.
- Working knowledge of WPS preparation and control, welding procedure qualification, inspection and traceability; familiarity with NASA qualification requirements applicable to the program is an advantage.
- The ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications and to produce accurate, structured engineering documentation.
- A methodical, safety-conscious approach and strong collaboration skills across engineering, quality and production teams.
- Professional working proficiency in English.

Especially valuable

- Direct experience with EBW, including process development, qualification or production support.
- Experience with laser-welding process development, qualification or production support, especially for propulsion hardware; experience with automated TIG or other precision joining processes is also valuable.
- Experience supporting propulsion hardware, pressure-containing components or other demanding aerospace manufacturing applications.
- Familiarity with quality-management systems and configuration-controlled manufacturing documentation.

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

- [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
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