Storm test bench program manager

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. Storm is TEC’s high-performance liquid rocket engine program, developed to support next-generation launch and space transportation applications. The Storm development strategy relies heavily on ground testing, from early development models to qualification and acceptance campaigns. The engine test bench is a critical enabler of the program, and its on-time delivery is essential to maintain the Storm development schedule. As Storm Engine Test Bench Program Manager, you are responsible for driving the on-time delivery of the Storm engine test bench development program. You will ensure execution discipline across the bench development workstream: integrating schedules, tracking deliverables, coordinating stakeholders and suppliers, anticipating blockers, and escalating decisions to keep the program on track. In addition, you will act as the primary point of contact for identifying and securing a suitable test bench location, coordinating the site selection process with internal stakeholders and external parties. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES PROGRAM PLANNING AND DELIVERY (SCHEDULE, SCOPE, COST TRACKING) - Build, maintain, and continuously improve the integrated test bench delivery plan (design maturity gates, procurement lead times, manufacturing, installation, integration, and commissioning support activities). - Own the critical path, dependencies, and milestone readiness criteria (from a delivery perspective). - Track progress, identify schedule threats early, and drive recovery plans (re-sequencing, parallelization, expediting, resourcing proposals). - Maintain program routines (weekly reviews, action tracking, decision logs) to ensure execution discipline. CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION - Animate weekly/monthly routines: bench program reviews, schedule reviews, and interface meetings - Ensure alignment between propulsion engineering, test engineering, facilities/infrastructure, procurement, quality, and site teams - Prepare concise reporting for program leadership: status, risks, mitigation, upcoming decisions, and milestone readiness - Coordinate preparation of key internal reviews (bench concept reviews, design/package readiness, delivery readiness checkpoints) TEST BENCH LOCATION IDENTIFICATION AND SITE SELECTION (POINT OF CONTACT) - Act as the single point of contact to identify, assess, and secure a test bench location aligned with the Storm schedule and development needs. - Coordinate the site selection process (timeline, stakeholder alignment, decision gates, and documentation) and ensure decisions are taken in time to protect the critical path. - With support from the engineering team (who define requirements and technical needs), consolidate the test site needs impacting the choice of location and translate them into: - A practical location assessment checklist (capabilities, utilities, access, constraints) - A comparison of candidate sites (schedule, cost, readiness, risks) - Clear decision packages for leadership (trade-offs, recommended option, fallback plans) - Coordinate interfaces with external stakeholders as needed (site operators, landlords/partners, utilities, local service providers), in alignment with internal owners. PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIER COORDINATION - Coordinate long-lead procurement tracking - Support supplier selection and onboarding (RFI/RFQ process coordination, delivery tracking, expediting) - Monitor supplier performance and ensure timely resolution of delivery issues, NCR handling coordination, and logistics readiness - Ensure documentation deliverables from suppliers are collected and integrated INTEGRATION AND COMMISSIONING READINESS SUPPORT - Ensure prerequisites for integration/commissioning are planned and tracked: procedures availability, resou