Senior Systems Engineer - BioTech & SpaceTech (M/F/X)

About

Join a deeptech company building AI‑controlled biospheric systems to grow high‑value plants in fully controlled environments on Earth and in orbit. Large‑scale pods and compact capsules combine climate engineering, fluidics, agronomy and software to solve critical sourcing and life‑support challenges. As Senior Systems Engineer (BioTech & SpaceTech), you are the reference for climate, HVAC and air/water/gas loops, at the heart of both terrestrial production pods and a space‑bound plant module. Your mission: design, model and commission the thermal & fluidic systems that keep these biospheres stable, efficient and safe.

Responsibilities

• Design and model the thermal and fluidic architecture of controlled‑environment systems: air treatment, temperature, humidity, CO₂/O₂, pressure, fertigation and recirculating loops
• Size and specify equipment (fans, coils, exchangers, ducts, pipes, pumps, valves, tanks, filters) and produce P&IDs, schematics and technical documentation for manufacturing and integration
• Define and prototype control algorithms (in Python or equivalent) for climate, irrigation and gas dosing, then work with embedded and software teams to deploy them in the automation stack
• Work closely with mechanical engineers (layouts, structures, maintainability), embedded engineers (sensors, actuators, IO, PLCs/industrial PCs) and agronomists (plant requirements, stress strategies, yield and metabolite targets) to turn biological and product needs into robust engineered systems
• Own system‑level requirements, verification plans and commissioning for thermal & fluidic subsystems on both Earth and space programs (factory pods and orbital capsules)
• Analyse data from sensors and experiments, troubleshoot issues, and iterate on design and control strategies to improve stability, performance and energy/water efficiency

Tech Stack & Environment

• Systems & process: thermal / fluid systems engineering, HVAC, process utilities, P&IDs, mass/energy balances, simulations
• Modelling & control: Python for models, sizing tools and control logic prototyping; familiarity with control theory and multi‑loop interactions (climate irrigation plants)
• Hardware: large‑scale controlled‑environment pods and compact plant‑growth modules; high density of sensors and actuators; real‑world constraints and safety considerations
• Teams: small cross‑functional squads mixing design, mechanical, systems, embedded, software and agronomy; very close to the field (greenhouse / lab, not just office work)
• Culture: deeptech startup mode, high expectations, fast pace, strong mission focus (climate resilience, biodiversity, space exploration), direct access to decision‑makers

Profile (Requirements)

• 5 years of exp. as a Process / Mechanical / Systems Engineer in at least one of the following: controlled‑environment agriculture (CEA), aerospace life‑support / cabin environment systems (ECS, ECLSS), pharma / biotech, nuclear or eq.

• Strong track record in thermal & fluid systems design: HVAC / air treatment, hydronic / process fluids, gas handling, sizing, P&IDs, commissioning.
• Solid skills in system modeling and control: you are comfortable reasoning about multi‑physics systems (temperature, humidity, CO₂, plant transpiration, flows and storage) and designing control strategies.
• Proficiency in Python (or equivalent) for calculations, models and control prototyping; familiarity with simulation or engineering tools is a plus.
• Experience in on‑site commissioning and troubleshooting of complex systems (not only design office work).
• Comfortable in a small, demanding, hardware‑centric startup environment, with tight deadlines and strong ownership.

Language requirements

• English: C1+ (Fluent or near Fluent)
• French: a plus, not mandatory

Nice to Have

• Previous exposure to plant growth systems, bioprocess, bioreactors or life‑support environments.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or acting as a technical reference on projects.

Package & Conditions

• Salary: €60,000 – €70,000 gross per year, depending on seniority and scope.
• Contract: full‑time permanent (CDI)
• Location: Paris, on‑site in a greenhouse / prototyping facility
• Remote: Mainly on‑site, Few remote days on demand
• Environment: deeptech hardware startup, strong mission, direct impact on flagship industrial and space programs, role with high visibility and ownership.

Benefits

• Key role on a high‑impact scientific and engineering mission at the intersection of climate tech, agritech and space.
• Senior position with real technical authority on thermal & fluid systems and their evolution.
• Daily work in a unique environment (futuristic greenhouse / lab) rather than a conventional office.
• Exposure to top‑tier partners and ecosystems (industrial groups, research agencies, space actors) through the products you help build.

Hiring Process

1. Step 1 – Intro call (30 min): discussion with a product / engineering leader about your background, the company’s mission and the role; mutual Q&A.
2. Step 2 – Technical interview (60–90 min): deep dive into your past projects (thermal/fluid systems, HVAC/process, commissioning), system design questions, and how you approach modeling and control.
3. Step 3 – On‑site visit: tour of the facility and the pods, discussions with engineers (mechanical, embedded, agronomy) to assess mutual fit.