Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. We are looking for a Principal TPS Engineer to lead the definition, development, and delivery of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) for Nyx. This role combines deep technical ownership with subsystem leadership, ensuring robust, traceable, and flight-ready TPS solutions aligned with overall spacecraft needs. Key Responsibilities Own the TPS architecture and design, ensuring consistency with system-level constraints and interfaces (structures, avionics, propulsion, etc.). Lead trade-offs and technical decisions, balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule. Drive modelling and analysis activities, ensuring high-quality predictions, assumptions traceability, and correlation with test results. Define and oversee TPS hardware development and qualification, including supplier interaction and flight model delivery. Establish and execute verification and test strategies, from component level to integrated system validation. Manage technical risks, reviews, and progress tracking, ensuring timely escalation and mitigation actions. Lead and mentor the TPS engineering unit, defining priorities, supporting growth, and ensuring delivery excellence. Act as a hands-on technical leader, actively contributing to design, analysis, test preparation and troubleshooting, with strong proximity to integration and MAIT activities. Own and structure the TPS laboratory environment, ensuring the right capabilities, workflows, and test practices are in place to support development, qualification, and iteration speed. What We Would Love to See from You Qualifications: Degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field. At least 5 years of experience in the development of space or defense thermal protection systems, including design, analysis, and validation. Strong background in material response analysis, testing, and correlation methodologies. Proven experience leading space hardware development and qualification. Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics principles. Experience in aerodynamic and aerothermal analysis is strongly appreciated. Familiarity with space industry standards. Fluent in English. German, French or Italian are an asset. Skills and Behaviors: Ability to translate complex technical challenges into clear decisions and actionable plans. Strong leadership and mentoring skills within engineering teams. Excellent collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and external partners. Clear and effective communication with technical and program stakeholders. Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks. Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done. Demonstrates behaviours consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Vision, Competence, Integrity and Passion. 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.