Principal Mission Operations Training Engineer

About the role

Mission Operations Training Engineer at The Exploration Company represents a pivotal position within the rapidly growing space operations team. The selected individual will serve as the central technical authority responsible for the conception, development, and execution of the end-to-end mission operations training program. This role demands ownership of the complete training lifecycle, from initial concept definition and certification pathways to the long-term strategic planning required for flight controllers and future ISS crews. You will act as the critical bridge between complex vehicle engineering and practical, executable operational knowledge, ensuring that all personnel achieve full operational readiness for missions involving the Nyx vehicle. A core component of this position involves functioning as the Simulation Supervisor, where you will define, own, and execute the training strategy within the high-fidelity simulation environment. In this capacity, you will collaborate directly with the Ground Software and Flight Software teams to ensure that training capabilities and fault-injection logic are architected into the simulator from its inception. Your work will directly shape how simulation drives proficiency and prepares teams for both nominal operations and complex off-nominal scenarios.

The role requires a deep commitment to creating structured frameworks that translate intricate spacecraft systems into clear, actionable training curricula and procedures. You will be the owner of the training concept of operations, designing the pathway that takes a new operator to full certification. This involves authoring and maintaining the foundational curriculum, detailed lesson plans, and all supporting instructional materials necessary for mission success. A significant portion of your responsibility will involve scripting, orchestrating, and executing high-fidelity nominal and off-nominal simulation campaigns as Simulation Supervisor. This work requires a disciplined approach to scenario management, execution fidelity, and rigorous documentation. Collaboration is integral, as you will work hand-in-hand with Ground Software and Flight Software teams to ensure simulator capabilities include robust fault-injection features aligned precisely with training requirements. You will coordinate extensively with subsystem engineers, Mission Directors, and key external partners including ESA, NASA, and CNES to ensure all training activities remain synchronized with current procedures and evolving program needs. Furthermore, you will incorporate real-world flight anomalies, identified test failures, and critical operational lessons learned directly into simulator capabilities, training flows, and vehicle design considerations to continuously improve operational resilience. Mentoring junior training engineers and simulation controllers will be a key function, focusing on developing their skills and elevating the overall capability and effectiveness of the entire training team.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will define, own, and execute the comprehensive mission operations training program for flight controllers and ISS crews, establishing the central technical authority for all operations training initiatives. You will author and maintain the foundational curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional materials that translate complex vehicle engineering into practical, executable operational knowledge for diverse audiences. You will script, orchestrate, and run high-fidelity nominal and off-nominal simulation campaigns, exercising disciplined scenario management as the Simulation Supervisor. You will collaborate directly with the Ground Software and Flight Software teams to ensure simulator architecture inherently supports fault-injection logic and training capabilities from the ground up. You will coordinate extensively with subsystem engineers, Mission Directors, and external partners such as ESA, NASA, and CNES to synchronize training activities with current procedures and evolving program requirements. You will analyze and incorporate real-world flight anomalies, test failures, and critical operational lessons learned directly into simulator scenarios, training flows, and vehicle design considerations. You will develop and implement structured training certification pathways and long-term training plans that ensure personnel achieve and maintain full operational readiness. You will mentor junior training engineers and simulation controllers, developing their technical and instructional skills to elevate the overall capability and performance of the training department. You will ensure all training outputs, including procedures and simulations, reflect the latest vehicle configurations and operational insights. You will actively contribute to a culture of openness and transparency, discussing risks and obstacles frankly to solve challenges collaboratively within the Exploration Company team.

Requirements

The ideal candidate holds a Master's degree in an engineering or scientific discipline as a fundamental requirement for this position. You will bring 8 or more years of cumulative experience in spacecraft mission operations training or a comparable high-risk operational environment, demonstrating deep practical knowledge. Hands-on experience in scripting and running simulation campaigns is essential, regardless of whether your background is in a Simulation Supervisor, console operator, or similar capacity. You will possess a proven track record of working directly with software development teams, defining, reviewing, and accepting simulator capabilities and modeling environments to ensure alignment with operational needs. A strong technical understanding of common spacecraft systems, including Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), avionics, propulsion, and life support, is a mandatory prerequisite for success in this role. You must demonstrate the proven ability to convert complex systems engineering principles into clear, actionable operational training curricula, procedures, and supporting documentation. Fluency in the fundamental principles of mission operations, data systems, communications, and procedural execution is expected as a baseline competence for this position. You will have the capacity to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where agility is paramount and decisions are made swiftly while always considering goals and systems. A commitment to maintaining balance and actively refueling energy is essential to sustain the high levels of focus required for this mission-critical role. You will engage with an environment that values openness and transparency, where risks and obstacles are discussed frankly to solve challenges together as a unified team. You must be located in or be willing to relocate to Bordeaux, France, and be eligible for full-time employment under the conditions defined for this role.

Nice to have

Experience in developing training for ISS crewmembers or human spaceflight missions in general is a highly valued qualification for this position. A background in custom simulation tooling, fault-injection scripting, or telemetry display environments will be advantageous and differentiate candidates. Prior certification as a flight controller is considered a significant asset for this mission-critical role. Direct collaboration history with NASA, ESA, or equivalent international partners on joint training plans and operational products is actively sought after. You should also have a demonstrated history of mentoring junior engineers while successfully maintaining your presence as a significant individual contributor within a technical team.

Practical notes

This engagement is full-time. The position is based in Bordeaux, France. Relocation assistance, including visa sponsorship where applicable, is available for qualified candidates. All offers are subject to successful completion of a background check as required by country, role, and project.