Head of Propulsion

About Starflight Dynamics

Starflight Dynamics (SFDY) is a Munich-based SpaceTech company building the foundational technologies for Europe's next generation of orbital infrastructure. Founded in 2023, we develop dual-use systems for space and defence: a green, water-based orbital propulsion stack and modular platforms for in-orbit operations.

Working with partners such as the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich and the BAAINBw, we're a small, ambitious team moving fast from prototype to orbit. Join us and help shape how Europe operates, and defends its interests, in space.

Mission & Responsibilities

You will give our Propulsion department dedicated, accountable leadership: setting its direction, building its team and delivering on its commitments, side by side with our technical authority for propulsion.

Department leadership

• Lead the Propulsion department: day-to-day operations, project management, and change and risk management
• Own the department's strategic direction and its technology and product-line roadmap
• Own delivery against all commitments, and set priorities and resources across the department
• Build the cooperation with neighbouring departments such as Systems Engineering & AIT

Technical and Scientific Oversight

• Act as an independent, critical second opinion on system-level technical decisions, grounded in the state of the art
• Represent Propulsion in company-level technical reviews and roadmap planning
• Lead proposal and funding work with ESA, BAAINBw and others

People & Processes

• Build the hiring plan, grow the team, and establish engineering processes, documentation standards and onboarding
• Own performance management, training and career development
• Be accountable for personnel safety and security in the department

What we are looking for

Must have

• 10-15 years in in-space propulsion or a closely adjacent hardware discipline, including people-leadership experience
• Track record building or scaling a technical team from a small base
• Comfortable operating alongside an existing strong technical authority without needing to own every technical call personally
• Scientific depth to critically assess research and engineering work in the field, typically an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics or a related discipline, ideally with a publication record
• Demonstrated experience in operational and project management, including change and risk management and supervising delegated management functions
• Fluent English

Nice to have

• German, a strong plus for work with BAAINBw
• Experience writing or leading ESA, BAAINBw or comparable funding proposals
• A publication record in propulsion or a related field

Eligibility

Willingness and eligibility to undergo a security clearance check (Sicherheitsüberprüfung, SÜG) may be required for this role, depending on project assignment.

What we offer

• A challenging position in the space industry with high responsibilities
• A permanent contract and 30 days of vacation
• Flexible hours
• Employee benefits, such as fitness programmes, mobility allowance, and shopping vouchers
• Access to the company's virtual share options programme

Diversity & Encouragement to apply

Research shows that people from underrepresented groups are statistically less likely to apply for a role unless they meet every single requirement listed. If that's you — but you're genuinely excited about building the foundations of Europe's orbital infrastructure — we'd strongly encourage you to apply anyway. We care more about drive and capability than a perfect match on paper.

We believe diversity of background and perspective drives better engineering and better decisions, and we welcome applications regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference where equally qualified.

Data Privacy

Information on how we process your application data can be found in our privacy notice on our website