In-Orbit Services Fault Management 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.

Our In-Orbit Services unit is dedicated to expanding and complementing these capabilities by conceptualizing and developing new technologies, products and programs.

We are seeking a methodical Fault Management Engineer to help us strike the right balance between performance and reliability. The In-Orbit Services Fault Management Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety of orbital service vehicles and systems. This role is central to the design, development, and operational assurance of in-orbit service missions, supporting both technical risk reduction and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Fault Management Strategy:
  • Define, implement and validate fault management strategies, including Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic for in-orbit service vehicles.
  • Coordinate between hardware and flight software teams to architect robust and lean fault management solutions.
• RAMS Analyses & Assurance:
  • Lead the definition and execution of fault tree analyses (FTA) and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA) to identify and mitigate potential failure modes.
  • Perform reliability and availability prediction studies and allocate reliability targets to subsystems and equipment.
  • Conduct hazard analyses for ground, orbital, and re‑entry phases, ensuring compliance with relevant safety requirements, including the safety analysis for launch authorities.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Collect and analyze in-orbit data to inform lessons learned and drive improvements in fault management and overall system reliability.
  • Support the creation and improvement of RAMS analysis tools and technical documentation.
• Collaboration & Communication:
  • Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, thermal, avionics, software, operations, systems) to integrate RAMS and fault management requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Prepare and present technical data, recommendations, and reports to internal and external stakeholders.

What we would love to see from you

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in engineering, aerospace, or a related field; specialization in electronics, system engineering or fault management is a plus.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in reliability tools (FMECA, FTA, reliability block diagrams) and fault management methodologies.
• Experience: Hands‑on experience with spacecraft FDIR strategy definition and validation planning and execution.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Feedback: Willingness to give proactive and mindful feedback across all company levels.
• Mindset: Highly motivated to work in a fast‑paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start‑up environment.
• Languages: Fluent in English.

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

Why you should join us!

• 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 completion of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third‑party provider, to ensure this process is 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.