Lead Project Manager Dual Use In-Orbit Services

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

At The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable orbital vehicle designed to carry cargo and, in the longer term, humans. Nyx is being developed with the capabilities required for safe, reliable and repeatable rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, including missions to the International Space Station.

Building on this heritage, our Future Projects activities are developing new orbital services and spacecraft applications for institutional, commercial and defence customers. We are seeking an experienced Dual Use In-Orbit Services Project Manager to lead the complete development and delivery of orbiters for defence and dual-use applications.

This is a high-impact role for an experienced spacecraft project manager who can translate customer needs into executable programmes and lead multidisciplinary teams from early concept and proposal phases through design, qualification, launch, commissioning and operations. The successful candidate will combine strong spacecraft engineering understanding with a proven record of delivering flight hardware and managing demanding institutional and defence stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

In your capacity as Dual Use In-Orbit Services Project Manager, your role will be continuously evolving, but day-to-day your duties will include:

Lead the complete development of orbiters and associated in-orbit service capabilities for defence and dual-use missions, from mission definition and early concept studies through qualification, launch, commissioning, flight and operations.

Translate customer objectives and operational needs into clear mission, system and programme requirements.

Establish and maintain the project baseline, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, technical performance and quality objectives.

Define the project organisation, work breakdown structure, milestones, reviews and decision gates.

Drive disciplined decision-making, issue resolution and change control throughout the project lifecycle.

Ensure successful delivery against commitments in terms of technical performance, schedule, cost, quality and customer satisfaction.

Monitor industrialisation, procurement, manufacturing and supply-chain activities, ensuring that critical path items and long-lead equipment are actively managed.

Work closely with engineering and industrial teams to ensure the timely delivery of flight and ground hardware, software, documentation and operational products

Act as the main point of contact for institutional and defence customers throughout the project lifecycle.

Support and lead the preparation of proposals, responses to Invitations to Tender, Requests for Proposals and other business opportunities related to defence and dual-use in-orbit services.

Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary teams across programme management, systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and business functions.

What We Would Love to See from You

In the role of Dual Use In-Orbit Services Project Manager, ideally, you will have the following:

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering.

Typically 10 or more years of professional experience in the aerospace or space sector, including substantial responsibility for project or programme management and technical delivery.

Proven experience leading the end-to-end development of satellites, orbiters, spacecraft or complex space systems.

Demonstrated delivery of flight hardware, including experience through integration and test, qualification, launch preparation and/or in-orbit operations.

Established customer-facing experience, ideally including direct interaction with DLR, the German Federal Ministry of Defence or comparable institutional and defence organisations.

Skills and Behaviors

Fluency in English and German.

Strong oral and written communication skills

Strong analysis and problem-solving skills

Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks

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 global space industry

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.