System Engineer [In-Orbit Cryogenic Systems]

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

We want you as a talented System Engineer to help us in our mission by contributing to the development of next-generation in-space cryogenic systems, servicing and refueling technologies, as well as other future space systems. Our Future Projects unit conceptualizes and pre-develops new technologies, products and programs for future space applications. You will work across multiple projects and technology development activities, covering System Engineering from early mission studies through system architecture, requirements, interfaces, trade studies and technology maturation.

You will work closely with an experienced System Engineer and with specialists in cryogenics, thermal, fluids, mechanical engineering and other disciplines. As your experience grows, you will progressively take ownership of broader System Engineering activities and may take responsibility for the System Engineering of specific projects or studies.

Key Responsibilities

In your capacity as a System Engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties will include:

System Architecture & Requirements

Translate mission use cases, stakeholder needs and project objectives into system requirements and engineering drivers

Develop and maintain system-level requirements and support their flow-down to subsystem level

Contribute to functional and physical architectures and to system decomposition

Define and maintain system interfaces and Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

Ensure consistency and traceability between requirements, architecture, interfaces and technical analyses

Support the definition and evolution of project technical baselines

System Analysis & Trade Studies

Perform system-level analyses and trade studies in collaboration with the relevant technical disciplines

Define trade study criteria, consolidate multidisciplinary inputs and develop engineering recommendations

Maintain system-level budgets and performance assessments (mass, power, thermal, fluids, data, etc.)

Assess the impact of design changes on system requirements, interfaces and performance

Develop system-level models and engineering tools where appropriate

Support the assessment and maturation of new concepts and technologies

Multidisciplinary Engineering Coordination

Own the consistency of interface documentation for your assigned scope, working with technical owners to resolve discrepancies

Identify technical dependencies, open points and risks, and drive their resolution with the relevant engineering teams

Prepare co-engineering sessions, technical workshops and trade studies for your scope, and drive the follow-up actions

Track technical actions and support alignment between system and discipline-level activities

Take ownership of your assigned tasks on projects, and proactively flag conflicts or priority changes to the lead System Engineer

Engineering Development & Reviews

Contribute to early development and technology maturation activities, including Phase 0/A/B1 studies and technology demonstrators

Support early verification and validation activities, including V&V matrices and verification approaches

Prepare technical documentation and data packages for internal, partner and customer reviews

Support technical reviews, RID management and closure of review actions

Participate in technical exchanges with customers, partners and external stakeholders, as part of a team

As you gain experience, progressively take on more responsibility for specific System Engineering activities of projects or studies

What we would love to see from you

In the role of System Engineer, ideally, you will have the following:

Practical experience in System Engineering activities, such as requirements engineering, system architecture, interface management, system analysis or technical trade studies

Ability to understand and connect different engineering disciplines rather than working only within a single technical domain

Structured engineering approach and ability to turn complex technical information into clear conclusions and recommendations

Ability to work autonomously while knowing when coordination or escalation is required

Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and international engineering environment

Ability to work across different projects and adapt to changing technical challenges and priorities

Professional fluency in English

Required Qualifications

Education: MSc or equivalent degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.

Experience: First significant professional experience in the space industry or in the development of complex multidisciplinary systems, including practical System Engineering activities. Recent graduates without professional experience are not considered for this position.

Skills and Competencies: Systems thinking, structured technical analysis, clear technical communication, autonomy, and collaboration across disciplines and borders.

Nice to have

Experience with early development phases (Phase 0/A/B) and/or technology maturation projects

Familiarity with ECSS System Engineering practices

Experience with requirements management and/or MBSE tools

Experience with cryogenic systems, propulsion, fluid systems, thermal engineering or spacecraft systems

Basic programming or scripting capability (e.g. Python, MATLAB) for system modelling, engineering analysis or tool automation

Experience working with industrial partners, agencies or institutional customers such as ESA

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.