About the job
At The Exploration Company, we are pioneering the development, production, and operation of Nyx, an innovative modular and reusable orbital vehicle designed for in-orbit refueling and capable of transporting cargo, with aspirations for human transport in the future.
In addition to Nyx, we are advancing a reusable high-thrust engine along with cutting-edge in-orbit refueling technologies, establishing TEC as a frontrunner in the global spaceflight industry.
To bolster our mission, we are excited to introduce a senior position dedicated to the industrialization of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) for essential aerospace components.
Role Overview
As the Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer – DED, you will assume the role of technology owner for Directed Energy Deposition at TEC. Your leadership will be pivotal in developing, qualifying, and scaling DED capabilities for high-performance aerospace hardware, specifically intricate propulsion components such as nozzles and thrust-chamber structures.
This role demands a high level of autonomy and technical expertise, directly influencing TEC’s flight hardware, manufacturing strategies, and future production roadmap.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Development & Industrialization
- Lead the development, maturation, and industrialization of TEC’s DED manufacturing capabilities.
- Define and implement comprehensive manufacturing workflows encompassing design, deposition, post-processing, inspection, and certification.
- Establish robust DED process windows for high-performance alloys, including copper, nickel superalloys, and titanium.
- Advise design teams on Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) for DED, ensuring manufacturability and performance of complex components like rocket nozzles.
Operational & Program Execution
- Oversee DED process development from equipment selection and installation to production readiness.
- Lead part-qualification initiatives, including test plans, coupons, non-destructive testing (NDT), acceptance criteria, and documentation.
- Manage budgets, schedules, and risks associated with DED technology development activities.
- Promote continuous improvement in equipment utilization, uptime, and throughput.
Standards & Quality Compliance
- Ensure compliance of all DED processes with ESA, NASA, AS/EN9100, and internal TEC quality and safety standards.
- Define process control parameters and implement quality assurance measures.