Propulsion Data & Modeling Engineer

The heart of a spacecraft lies in its propulsion system, and that's why we, at The Exploration Company, are dedicated to developing our own cutting-edge Propulsion Systems ensuring the highest level of efficiency and reliability in our space endeavours.

We want you as a talented Propulsion Functional Systems Engineer to contribute to the development, testing, analysis, prediction and refinement of the functional architecture for Nyx Earth Propulsion System Development Models.

In order to derisk and gain confidence on the flight propulsion system, different development models are being built in order to run a multitude of tests spanning from functional tests, cold flows to system level hot fires. This testing will allow for the verification and validation of all the propulsion subsystems. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between design and hardware testing for the Nyx spacecraft propulsion system. As such, you will work closely with both the design and testing teams to ensure seamless integration and validation of propulsion subsystems.

You will report to the Propulsion Development Models Principal Engineer.

Key responsibilities:

In your capacity as a Propulsion Functional Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of analysis, post processing, and prediction tools that can support testing and design activities linked to the propulsion sub-systems.

Your role will be continuously evolving, but day-to-day responsibilities will include:

During the Design Phase:

• Work closely with the pressure and feed system engineers to define the best configuration of the test setups, ensuring a high level of representativeness and testability to conduct all fluid modelling and analyses to verify repeatability of the test rigs with the flight systems and to perform test predictions.

• Support on the creation of test plans for propulsion subsystems (from a modeling perspective), including data acquisition, analysis, and reporting to ensure the performance of the system can be assessed.

• Design and develop propulsion analysis and post processing tools, to support testing activities and design maturation

• Work in close collaboration with the pressure and feed system engineers to ensure the anchoring of the different fluidic models and assess against test data

During testing phase:

• Provide on-site support during propulsion test campaigns, working closely with the test operator and test conductor.

• Perform test campaigns, analysing in real-time, through different test parameters and ensure test results with timely resolution of any anomaly arising during testing.

• Conduct pre-test and post-test reviews and elaborate the test reports.

• Update and correlate the fluidic models based on test results.

• Provide actionable insights to identify key performance indicators and potential critical scenarios

What we would love to see from you:

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related Engineering discipline.

• +3 years of related experience in complex fluid systems, fluidic modeling, data analysis and data post processing.

• Strong engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and combustion principles.

• Familiarity with test facilities, or storable propulsion systems is an asset

• Experience in propulsion systems storable or cryogenic fluidic systems is a plus.

• Proficiency in python for fluid analyses, data post processing and model anchoring.

• Experience in EcosimPro (or similar software) for the high fidelity analysis of numerical twins.

• Proficiency in conducting fluid analyses using classical hand calculations

• Excellent collaboration skills for working effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

• Fluency in English.

Skills and Behaviours:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills.

• Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks.

• Strong team player with a proactive mindset.

• Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done.

• Ability to communicate at all levels of the business.

• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Mission, Vision, Integrity, Excellence and Teamwork.

• Space enthusiast, ready to change the European space industry.

• Nice to have, Ecosim experience

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind