Full-Time
High-Thrust Engine Lead
The Exploration Company
201-500 employees
Orbital vehicle developer with open interfaces
Compensation Overview
€72.5k - €130k/yr
Bordeaux, France + 1 more
More locations: Munich, Germany
Hybrid
Master's, PhD
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- An advanced degree, specifically a Master of Science or PhD, in propulsion engineering, systems engineering, aerospace engineering, or another related field.
- More than 10 years of experience in systems engineering or spacecraft development roles.
- Strong understanding of cryogenic rocket engines and cryogenic propulsive systems.
- Demonstrated experience managing requirements, interfaces, and technical budgets.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead a geographically distributed team and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.
- Fluency in English, with strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analysis and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organization and task prioritization skills.
- Ability to communicate at all levels of the business.
- Lead a team of engineers and technicians by setting goals and objectives, assigning tasks, and providing guidance and support.
- Lead the hiring process by defining staffing needs and job descriptions, conducting interviews, and onboarding new employees.
- Support and challenge the team in its main design choices and development logic.
- Oversee the planning and execution of engineering projects, ensuring completion on time and within budget, and coordinate with sales, marketing, manufacturing, and other departments to align projects with business objectives.
- Support the business team in finding new opportunities.
- A positive and flexible attitude.
The Exploration.Space builds Nyx, a modular, reusable orbital vehicle that can be refueled in orbit, and operates Nyx for various missions while also selling its open-interface components on the SpaceStore for others to use. Nyx works by launching to orbit, being refueled in space, and reconfiguring for different missions through its modular design. The company differentiates itself by pairing spacecraft operations with an open marketplace of modular components, inviting third parties to build on its technology. Its goal is to make space exploration affordable, sustainable, and accessible to a global audience.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series B
Total Funding
$214.8M
Headquarters
Planegg, Germany
Founded
2021
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- August 2026 fundraising reached $300 million, implying a $2 billion valuation.
- June 2026 ESA ALADDIN and InSPoC contracts keep Nyx tied to institutional demand.
- June 2026 drop tests and May 2026 engine firings reduced key technical unknowns.
What critics are saying
- July 2026 funding was still unclosed, so liquidity depends on closing and milestone execution.
- ESA Phase 2 could supply €200 million; failure leaves Nyx underfunded for 2028.
- Mission failures like Bikini and Mission Possible threaten customer trust and an eventual existential risk.
What makes The Exploration Company unique
- TEC’s Nyx targets cargo, crew, lunar missions, and in-orbit refueling from one platform.
- July 2026 Houston Rapid Innovation Lab adds US engineering access near NASA Johnson.
- June 2026 Storm and Yrene broaden TEC from capsule maker into launch systems.
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6 month growth
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↓ -5%The Exploration Company wants to build Europe's largest rocket. The German-French start-up is raising fresh capital, according to Handelsblatt information. The company wants to compete with rocket manufacturers with this - also with a factory in Germany. August 20, 2026 - 5:31 p.m. Düsseldorf, Berlin. It is one of the most prominent start-ups in space travel in Europe: The Exploration Company (TEC). Founded in 2021, the company has been working on a reusable and low-cost space capsule - until now. Now the company has largely completed a major financing round, as Handelsblatt has learned from six people involved in the process. According to this, TEC will receive at least $300 million (equivalent to €257 million) in the coming weeks. Hélène Huby, CEO and co-founder of TEC, wants to significantly expand the business model with the new capital and build Europe's largest reusable heavy-lift rocket. In doing so, TEC is not only competing with German microlaunchers such as Isar Aerospace, RFA or HyImpulse - but also with ArianeGroup, the manufacturer of the Ariane rocket.
German SpaceX competitor heading for $2 billion valuation. 17:05, 27 July 2026 According to a Financial Times report, the European space startup could soon receive $300 million. A bit of SpaceX made in Europe: As the Financial Times reports, the German-French company The Exploration Company (TEC) could soon announce financing of over $300 million. This would give TEC double unicorn status - a valuation of $2 billion. There is no official confirmation from TEC yet. The company was founded in 2021 by Hélène Huby. The Frenchwoman was previously responsible for space at Airbus. Recycling space capsule. TEC's product is called Nyx. It is a reusable space capsule. Currently unmanned, later there could also be a version with passengers. However, the cycle has not yet been closed. As thenextweb reports, the test flights have never gone so well that the Nyx capsule could be sent off again. The fresh money is a good sign of confidence in the team around Huby. Likewise, the open positions indicate optimism. A total of 114 positions are advertised at TEC. From technicians in Munich (annual gross 47,000-60,000 euros) to the chief position for testing constructions (up to 140,000).
SpaceX's European rival is in talks to raise $300 million, FT reports. The Exploration Company GmbH, a potential European rival to Elon Musk's company, is in talks to raise at least $300 million, which would lift the company's valuation to over $2 billion. By Yash Roy July 26, 2026 | 02:29 PM Bloomberg - The Exploration Company GmbH, a potential European rival to SpaceX, Elon Musk's company, is in talks to raise at least $300 million, partly from the European Union's Scaleup Europe fund, which would lift the company's valuation to over $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. The funding round, which has not yet been finalized, would help finance the company's efforts to develop Europe's first reusable space capsule intended to carry cargo to the International Space Station and its planned successor, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Scaleup Europe fund is managed by Swedish investment group EQT AB. Neither the Exploration Company nor EQT responded to requests for comment outside of regular business hours on Sunday. The company last raised about $160 million in 2024, receiving funds backed by the governments of France and Germany with investors such as French Tech Souveraineté and German funds DeepTech and Climate Fonds. The 2024 funding round was also intended to finance its reusable space capsule, Nyx. Read more at Bloomberg.com
Siemens collaborates with The Exploration Company on reusable spacecraft development. By S. N. Jenkins July 21, 2026 Siemens announced on July 21 that it is supporting The Exploration Company in the development of next-generation reusable spacecraft. Edwin Severijn, senior vice president and general manager for Europe, Middle East, Africa at Siemens Digital Industries Software, said, "The future of aerospace will be defined by companies that combine speed, innovation and engineering precision at scale. Our work with The Exploration Company exemplifies how Siemens Xcelerator helps customers build a connected digital enterprise that accelerates development and enables them to meet the rigorous demands of next generation space programs." Daniel Prudente Martins, principal EWIS & electrical interfaces for Nyx Avionics at The Exploration Company, said, "At The Exploration Company, our mission is to make space more accessible through reusable technology. Achieving this requires an advanced, scalable engineering environment. Working with Siemens and adopting its best-in-class industrial software is helping us connect our engineering processes, reduce rework, accelerate development and streamline manufacturing as we scale our operations. For MissionBikini, our orbital demonstration capsule, we progressed from initial concept to flight hardware in just nine months, demonstrating the speed at which our integrated engineering approach enables rapid development." The integrated software tools within the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio enable seamless data exchange and traceability throughout the development process while supporting certification requirements typical in aerospace programs. By bringing together mechanical, electrical and simulation disciplines in a single engineering environment, teams can work more efficiently. During the development of Storm - The Exploration Company's high thrust rocket engine - the team can model and optimize additive manufacturing processes more effectively, with changes in one domain reflected across others. Siemens supports sustainability through its DEGREE framework, which emphasizes decarbonization as well as ethics and governance; resource efficiency; equity; and employability, according to the official website. The company focuses on technology in electrification, automation and digitalization to deliver value; operates globally across sectors including Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure; has local expertise nearly everywhere; is known for breakthrough technologies addressing sustainability challenges; operates divisions such as Mobility and Healthineers; and Roland Busch serves as president and chief executive officer - all according to the official website.
Munich / Westcott – 30 June 2026 — The Exploration Company (TEC) today announces the acquisition of European Astrotech Limited (EAL), a UK‑based specialist in spacecraft propulsion services, propellant chemistry, and launch site fuelling operations.