Technical Program Lead – Space Propulsion Systems

Join an innovative European space technology company developing next-generation spacecraft systems for global missions.

With decades of heritage in the commercial space sector, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-reliability systems used across satellite and deep-space applications. Its technologies support a wide range of missions across propulsion, avionics, attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS), thermal systems, and spacecraft subsystem integration.

The business is at the forefront of next-generation green propulsion technologies supporting future orbital mobility and deep space missions. Due to continued growth, the company is seeking an experienced Technical Program Lead to oversee complex propulsion programs from concept through flight delivery.

The Role

This position will lead the planning, coordination, execution, and successful delivery of propulsion system programs for spacecraft platforms. The role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, operations, and customer management, ensuring technically complex and mission-critical hardware programs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, international customers, and external partners across the space sector.

This role would suit someone comfortable operating within a fast-evolving engineering environment where technical depth, collaboration, and ownership are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end propulsion system programs across development, qualification, testing, integration, and flight readiness
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, design, manufacturing, integration, and test
• Develop and manage program schedules, budgets, resource planning, and delivery milestones
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, commercial, and program risks
• Drive major project and engineering reviews including PDR, CDR, TRR, qualification, and customer milestones
• Act as the primary interface for institutional and commercial customers, including international space organisations and strategic partners
• Deliver regular progress reporting to senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Support proposal development, bid activities, cost estimation, and future program capture efforts
• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality, safety, and mission assurance standards
• Contribute to continuous improvement of program delivery processes within a growing international organisation

Required Experience

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Proven experience delivering complex hardware programs across the full development lifecycle from concept through qualification and operational deployment
• Strong understanding of spacecraft propulsion systems, including chemical and/or electric propulsion technologies
• Experience within high-reliability or mission-critical engineering environments
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams across engineering and operations
• Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing communication skills
• Experience leading technical project reviews and engineering delivery activities
• Fluent English communication skills

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within satellite, spacecraft, launch vehicle, defence, or advanced aerospace programs
• Familiarity with ESA or institutional space projects
• Understanding of systems engineering and spacecraft integration processes
• Experience supporting bids, proposals, or business development activities
• Experience working within international or multi-site engineering organisations

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge spacecraft and propulsion technologies
• Involvement in innovative orbital mobility and future space logistics missions
• International engineering environment with high-impact space programs
• Collaboration with leading aerospace organisations, agencies, and commercial partners
• Long-term career development within a growing space technology business
• Flexible international working environment within the Netherlands/Belgium region

If you are interested in contributing to advanced space missions and leading technically complex propulsion programs, we would be pleased to discuss the opportunity further.