Principal Advanced Machining Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

The Exploration Company is looking for a Principal Advanced Machining Engineer to lead and structure our CNC machining workshop in Bordeaux.

Join The Exploration Company as a Principal Advanced Machining Engineer and act as the key link between Design teams, CAM/CNC programming and shop-floor execution for complex space hardware.

Based at our Bordeaux–Le Haillan site, you will provide technical leadership to a CNC team of around six people, with additional resources depending on workload. You will support Nyx and future space programs through a combination of manufacturing engineering, Design for Manufacturing and operational workshop management.

Your role will be to transform design intent into robust and efficient manufacturing solutions, while ensuring that the team, processes and machine park perform effectively every day.

The workshop covers 3-axis and 5-axis milling, CNC turning, mill-turn, grinding and Wire EDM activities. You will report to the Lead Advanced Manufacturing.

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  Lead, support and develop the CNC workshop team.

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  Organise daily priorities, workload, machine allocation and production follow-up.

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  Drive shop-floor routines covering progress, blockers, safety, quality and delivery risks.

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  Act as the main interface between Design, Manufacturing Engineering, CNC programmers and machinists.

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  Contribute early to Design for Manufacturing activities, including manufacturability, tolerances, datums, tool access, workholding, machining sequences and inspection strategy.

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  Support and challenge CNC programming, machining strategies, setups, tooling and workholding.

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  Coordinate machining activities across milling, turning, mill-turn, grinding and Wire EDM.

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  Manage the capability, availability and performance of the CNC machine park, including first-level maintenance and preventive maintenance follow-up.

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  Improve workshop performance through machine utilisation, setup time, first-time-right, rework reduction and delivery adherence.

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  Manage team skills development, training, onboarding and technical standards.

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  Support equipment investments, capacity planning, supplier selection and machine commissioning.

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  Coordinate with Design, MAIT, Quality, Metrology, Production and Supply Chain.

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  Ensure appropriate production control, traceability, documentation and non-conformity management.

• An engineering degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrialisation or machining engineering.

• Significant experience in manufacturing engineering, industrialisation or advanced CNC machining, including CAM and HyperMill.

• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacturing, GD&T, functional tolerancing and machining processes.

• Experience leading a technical team and managing workshop priorities, capacity and machine-park performance.

• Experience in aerospace, space or another high-precision industrial environment.

• Professional proficiency in English and French.

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 
 
The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.  


All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.