Head of Operations

About Pangea Aerospace:

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 groundbreaking 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 are essential to meet the 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 team 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 a Head of Operations in Barcelona:

About the role:

We are seeking a Head of Operations to lead and kick-start our operational infrastructure, encompassing IT, Project Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test Operations. This role is pivotal in bridging engineering and execution, ensuring our advanced hardware progresses from design to delivery with precision and efficiency. This is a challenging position that has a transversal visibility on all company operations and engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Establish and oversee an integrated Operations department covering the full product lifecycle—from R&D to industrialization, testing, and delivery.
• Define and drive KPIs, SOPs, and cross-departmental workflows to align engineering, manufacturing, and delivery teams.
• Ensure operational readiness as the company transitions from development to flight hardware production and customer deliveries.

Program & Project Management

• Lead the Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring internal development programs and external customer contracts (ESA, CNES, etc.) are delivered on time and within scope.
• Standardize reporting, scheduling tools, and risk tracking across programs.

Manufacturing & Test

• Scale in-house and outsourced manufacturing capabilities
• Oversee propulsion testing workflows and facilities, ensuring safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Engineering to define build/test plans for all propulsion subsystems.

Supply Chain & Quality

• Direct the supply chain management team to ensure a reliable, cost-efficient, and dual-use-ready supply chain.
• Develop a robust Quality Management System (QMS) tailored to ESA/defense-grade propulsion requirements.
• Ensure traceability, compliance, and certification for all flight hardware.

IT & Systems

• Define and implement enterprise IT systems supporting production, ERP, documentation, and internal collaboration.
• Lead the selection and integration of tools for inventory management, compliance tracking, and digital continuity.

What you need to be successful:

• +8years of experience in aerospace, automotive, defense, or high-tech hardware environments—ideally with exposure to space propulsion or dual-use technologies.
• Proven leadership across multiple operational functions, with a strong track record of scaling systems and teams.
• Strong knowledge of space industry regulations and standards (ECSS, EN9100, ISO9001, REACH).
• Hands-on experience setting up or running manufacturing and test operations in a hardware development environment.
• Experience interfacing with engineering and product teams in a fast-paced, iteration-heavy context.
• Hands-on approach and ability to scale systems in a fast-growth, technically demanding environment.
• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Bonus: background in institutional contracting (ESA, CNES, EDF) or dual-use supply chain management.

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 Aerospace, 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.

More about us…

We are an international and very multicultural team. Our work is guided by these core values:

Teamwork: We strive to work together as an aligned team towards our common goals.

Respect & tolerance: we value people with integrity that treat other people with respect. We enjoy having diverse views to enrich the debate and take better decisions.

Passion for growth: we are passionate about space and about being pioneers; also, we value personal and organizational growth aiming to a constant improvement.

Sustainability: because a long-term vision and strategy is not possible if sustainability is not in the team’s core values.

Daring: we do things that sometimes seem impossible, but we always go the extra mile to find a path to do them and we are ready to take the necessary risks to achieve our goals.

If this sounds good to you and you want to join the New Space revolution, we really want to meet you!