Head of testing

Overview

By joining Alpha Impulsion as a Head of Testing in the Toulouse office, with frequent trips to the Naples office, you will play a key role in the development of both AMBER, Alpha Impulsion's small scale autophage demonstrator for suborbital flight and in-space propulsion, as well our scale-up research model for our launcher GARNET.

Working alongside the Chief Product Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, you will be responsible for leading all testing activities of Alpha Impulsion's autophage systems, from preliminary testing such as dry/wet autophage insertion testing to the firing tests themselves. The various models and iterations build upon one-another to bring the autophage launcher to life, including scale-up to full scale by 2029.

Your mission validates transverse technological development related to the full engine. Under your leadership, both the Toulouse and Naples propulsion team will optimise the system architecture and elevate autophage propulsion toward flight performance. You will drive propulsive test definition, validate a unique rocket engine, solve the unique challenges associated with this new architecture and start the company's journey in full-scale launcher development.

The projects you will be leading here

Alpha Impulsion is finalising the development of a small scale engine for the first autophage experimental rocket as part of a major French national contract, and beginning the development of new a research engine and propulsion test bench as part of a major contract with the Campania region. The goal of those two projects is to derisk technologies to be used in the future GARNET engine for launch vehicles. The results of this activity might change the way mini-launchers are built, demonstrating performance up to twice that of current propulsion technologies. You will embark on a young project, with the opportunity to build your team and your facilities from scratch to qualification and exploitation.

Your key responsibilities

As part of your missions, you will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:

• Build and lead the test team of Alpha Impulsion test models, from preliminary campaigns to autophage firing tests, to lead to performance improvement of autophage propulsion for launchers. These models will progressively implement more features and sub-systems for performance improvements and representativity.

• Manage the collaboration with test facilities, as well as strategic long-term topics on engine scale-up.

• Conduct sensitivity analyses on key design features of the autophage architecture and define test configurations to advance performance modelling verification.

• Collaborate closely with all executives and engineering leads across both offices (IT and FR) to integrate your team into the technical development roadmap and business strategy. Frequent travels between the two offices and the various test sites is expected.

What we would appreciate most

Experience:

• 8 to 15 years of experience on similar projects.

• Experience in leading rocket engine testing at medium or large scale (20kN expected as strict minimum). Experience with cryogens (LOX) is expected.

• Experience leading a 5-10 people engineering/technician team.

Education:

• Engineering degree in Aerospace.

Skills:

• Leadership and communication skills with a small-sized engineering team.

• Expertise in complex project management and Agile frameworks in the context of engine development.

• Complete mastery of safety processes, methods and control/acquisition solutions applied to rocket engine testing.

• Understanding of rocket engine behaviours (instabilities, coupling) at system's level, especially with ground equipment.

• Specific knowledge and experience in High Test Peroxide handling, or hybrid propulsion is highly appreciated.

• Professional English required. Italian and/or French greatly appreciated.

Why you should join us

Why we think you will enjoy working with us, what makes Alpha Impulsion unique:

• We are building something that does not exist. No amount of technical experience can answer all questions. When tests and feedback are the only path forward, we rely on your capacity to find new approaches in order to define the future of propulsion technology.

• You lead your own way. Each member owns designs and ideas, we all take chances. As Head of Testing in small company, your impact is significant in all aspects of the startup, from long term roadmap orientation and priorities, to hiring and engineering.

• We have a driving mission. It keeps us strong and united. “Clean and personalised access to space for everyone” is, for sure, the tenth time today that you read an attempt to say “democratising space” elegantly. Our difference: we are making a technological bet to halve environmental impacts of propulsion and divide by six its cost, while preventing orbital debris at the source. Not convinced? Look for our conference papers.

Compensation

Base salary negotiable based on experience. Additionally, we offer a competitive compensation package including meal vouchers and additional benefits to be discussed.

If you thrive on challenge, take on a new one and join the crew.