Industrial Senior Leader - Propulsion Valves

Industrial Senior Leader - Propulsion Valves

The Exploration Company

Bordeaux, France

Our Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration & Test (MAIT) team is building the industrial means to manufacture and qualify critical flight hardware.

We are looking for an Industrialization Leader – Propulsion Valves to define and implement the industrial strategy for the development and production of our gas and propellant valves, ensuring robust processes, qualified suppliers, and industrial readiness for flight hardware. You will be responsible for the complete industrial logic of the valve product line.

Key responsibilities:

• Industrial scheme definition: Establish and deploy the industrialization roadmap for propulsion valves, covering the 5M (Manpower, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement) across internal and external flows;
• Supplier involvement: contribute to supplier identification, consultation, evaluation, and selection in collaboration with procurement; support suppliers in reaching the industrial maturity expected for space (audits, process validation, capability assessments);
• Process definition and validation: define internal routings, key process parameters, and acceptance criteria; organize and oversee industrial qualification activities (PQR, NCR resolution, audits);
• Cross-functional leadership: act as the industrial counterpart to the Technical Leader Valves (design/product logic) and Program Management (planning, cost, schedule), ensuring strong alignment;
• Industrial risk management: identify risks related to valve manufacturing and assembly (precision machining, cleanliness, functional testing), define mitigation plans, and drive continuous improvement;
• Governance and reporting: represent industrialization in program reviews (PDR, CDR, Maturity Gates), consolidate supplier and process status, and ensure valve industrial readiness for flight milestones.

What we'd love to see from you:

• Engineering degree in aerospace, mechanical, industrial, or related fields;
• 5+ years of experience in industrialization, manufacturing engineering, or supplier qualification, ideally in aerospace valves, fluidic systems, or high-precision components;
• Demonstrated ability to define industrial schemes, qualify suppliers, and validate processes for flight hardware;
• Strong knowledge of aerospace and space standards (ECSS, EN9100, NASA/ESA standards, cleanliness/contamination control);
• Capacity to structure and manage the 5M industrial logic for a critical subsystem;
• Excellent communication skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders;
• Leadership, autonomy, and capacity to balance strategic vision with hands-on follow-up at suppliers and on the shop floor;
• Fluency in English.