About Pangea Propulsion:
We are a company dedicated to developing advanced propulsion systems for the space industry based on three key principles: high efficiency, sustainability, and reusability. We are revolutionizing the space industry with ground-breaking innovations that allow us to offer the best performance to cost propulsion systems.
Our goal is to be the propulsion provider for the next generation of spacecraft, which is essential to meet demands and compete in the booming space market of the next decade.
We are a passionate, multicultural, and multidisciplinary team pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space propulsion technology.
We have already made history by successfully testing the world's first 3D-printed Methalox Aerospike engine, marking a significant milestone for the space industry.
We are looking for talented professionals to join our international teams in Barcelona and Toulouse. We want to be a key player in improving diversity in the Aerospace sector as, in Pangea, we believe that diversity (gender, age, race, sexual orientation, beliefs, disability, culture, etc.) is a key to success. Within Pangea, everyone can grow with the same opportunities. We encourage you to apply. Individually we are different, but together we are an amazing team!
We are looking for an Avionics Lead Engineer in Barcelona.
About the role:
We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Avionics Engineer to join our team in Barcelona. The successful candidate will lead the technical definition and development of the avionics and control systems used across Pangea’s full propulsion portfolio, including launch-vehicle engines, in-space propulsion systems and associated development and test systems. This role is crucial in enhancing product development and maturation while maintaining technical quality, reliability, and compliance.
You will be the company’s technical reference for propulsion avionics. You will own the end-to-end architecture and technical baseline, connecting electronics, embedded software, sensors, actuators, control systems, power distribution, communications and test infrastructure into safe, reliable and verifiable propulsion systems.
This is a hands-on technical-leadership role. You will make and communicate architecture decisions, guide multidisciplinary engineers, coordinate technical activities across programmes, mentor team members and help define the long-term avionics technology roadmap. You will work closely with Systems, Propulsion, Mechanical, Fluidics, Software, Test, AIT, Manufacturing, Product Assurance, Project Management and external suppliers.
A proactive mindset, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are essential.
Key Responsibilities:
Avionics architecture and technical ownership
o Own and drive the end-to-end avionics development, verification, qualification and validation strategy, defining and executing all activities required to mature, test, qualify and certify avionics systems, ensure requirements closure with objective evidence, support propulsion test campaigns, and lead failure investigations and corrective actions across electronics, software, controls and system interfaces.
o Own the avionics and control-system architecture across Pangea propulsion systems, from initial concept through qualification and operational deployment.
o Establish and maintain architecture descriptions, interface-control documents, design justifications, technical budgets and the avionics technical baseline.
o Lead architecture trade studies covering performance, reliability, safety, mass, power, cost, schedule, manufacturability, supply-chain risk and reuse across product families.
o Chair or provide technical authority at design and readiness reviews, ensuring decisions and risks are clearly documented.
Controls and embedded systems
o Guide the integration of controllers, embedded software, sensors, instrumentation, actuators, valves, igniters, heaters, motor drives, power electronics, harnessing and data networks.
o Ensure coherent interfaces between avionics, propulsion controls, engine systems, test facilities and higher-level vehicle or spacecraft systems.
o Oversee the definition of control, sequencing, monitoring, telemetry, data-logging, health-management and safing functions.
o Guide the selection and integration of appropriate embedded computing, real-time software, communication buses and electronic components.
o Ensure hardware, firmware and software interfaces are defined early and verified throughout development
Team leadership and technical strategy
o Coordinate avionics technical activities across parallel projects, setting priorities and balancing resources, dependencies and risks.
o Mentor avionics, electronics, embedded-software and systems engineers, helping them grow their technical judgement and ownership.
o Review engineering work, provide clear feedback and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and technical excellence.
o Support recruiting, onboarding and capability-building as the avionics function grows.
o Develop common design rules, architecture patterns, modelling methods, review criteria, verification templates and lessons-learned practices.
o Lead technical engagement with suppliers and partners, including requirements negotiation, design reviews, compliance assessment and delivery follow-up.
o Define and maintain Pangea’s avionics technology roadmap, identifying capability gaps, technology-maturation needs and opportunities for reuse across propulsion products.
What you need to be successful:
Educational Background:
· Master’s degree Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Control Engineering, Systems Engineering Mechatronics or a closely related engineering discipline.
Experience:
· 8 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in avionics, aerospace electronics, embedded systems, control systems or other safety- or mission-critical systems
· Hands-on experience.
· Previous experience in liquid rocket propulsion or space hardware development
· Experience working with manufacturing processes, suppliers, inspection teams, test facilities, and non-conformance management.
Technical Proficiency:
· Demonstrated ownership of a complex avionics or control-system architecture from requirements through integration, verification and qualification.
· Proven technical leadership experience, including coordinating multidisciplinary work, leading design reviews and mentoring engineers.
· Strong systems-level understanding of electronics, embedded software, sensors, actuators, electrical power, communications and control systems.
· Experience with relevant communication interfaces such as CAN, RS-422/485, Ethernet, SpaceWire, SPI, I²C or comparable aerospace/industrial protocols.
· Working knowledge of embedded C/C++, real-time systems and hardware/software integration sufficient to guide architecture, review designs and resolve integration issues.
· Experience with modelling, simulation or data-analysis environments such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Modelica or equivalent tools.
· Experience planning or supporting HIL, integrated-system, qualification or environmental test campaigns.
· Ability to travel periodically between Pangea sites, suppliers and test facilities.
Soft Skills:
· Strong technical ownership and accountability, with the ability to drive complex developments through to completion.
· System-level thinking and the ability to understand how valve behaviour affects engine, propulsion-system, test-bench, and vehicle performance.
· Pragmatic and solution-oriented approach, balancing technical excellence with schedule, cost, manufacturability, and qualification needs.
· Strong analytical judgement, structured problem solving and experience leading root-cause or failure investigations.
· Professional fluency in English and the ability to communicate technical decisions clearly across disciplines and levels.
Other useful skills:
· Advanced Education:
PhD in relevant disciplines.
· Industry Experience:
· Experience with rocket-engine controls, liquid propulsion, in-space chemical propulsion or launch-vehicle avionics.
· Experience with both development-oriented avionics and high-reliability or long-duration flight systems.
· Knowledge of applicable ECSS and ESA engineering, product-assurance, dependability and EEE-component practices.
· Spanish or French language skills.
Specialized Expertise:
· Experience taking avionics hardware from prototype through industrialisation, acceptance testing and flight release.
· Experience with requirements, configuration and PLM tools such as DOORS, Jama, Polarion, Valispace, Codebeamer, Teamcenter or equivalent.
· Familiarity with safety-critical development frameworks such as DO-178C, DO-254, IEC 61508 or comparable standards where relevant.
· Previous experience building an avionics team, participating in recruitment or managing external development suppliers.
Not hitting every requirement? Research suggests that some people tend to hesitate when it comes to job applications if they don't meet all the desired qualifications. Here at Pangea Propulsion, we're committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, inclusivity, and authenticity. So, if you're enthusiastic about this role but your prior experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification mentioned in the job description, we still strongly encourage you to apply. You might just be the ideal candidate for this position or other opportunities within our organization.
Pangea Propulsion is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We consider all applications without discrimination on any legally protected grounds. We welcome applications from persons with disabilities and we can provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.