Senior Propulsion Engineer - Electric Engine (all genders)

Your Mission:

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer – Electric Engine, you will drive the development of the electric engine for the VÆRIDION Microliner. You will act as VÆRIDION’s internal technical expert for the complete electric engine, including the motor and controller. You will be responsible for decomposing aircraft-level requirements into engine requirements, guiding technical decisions, and ensuring compliance with applicable certification requirements.

Working closely with the engine supplier, you will critically review and challenge the engine architecture, detailed design, technical analyses, test results and certification evidence. You will maintain a holistic technical overview of the complete electric engine, including the electric machine, engine controllers, power electronics, thermal management, mechanical interfaces, control functions and supporting hardware and software.

As a senior member of the Propulsion team, you will play a key role in technical decision-making, supplier management, testing and certification activities, helping to bring one of the world's most advanced electric aircraft propulsion systems into service.

Your Day-to-Day:

• Lead the development and certification of the electric engine throughout its complete lifecycle, from requirements definition through testing and certification

• Act as VÆRIDION’s electric engine subject-matter expert and primary technical counterpart to the external engine supplier.

• Define, maintain and manage electric engine requirements, interfaces, operating limitations and verification strategies.

• Review and challenge supplier architectures, designs, calculations, simulation models, and substantiation reports, identifying technical gaps and proposing solutions.

• Evaluate the electric engine performance across its operating envelope, including efficiency, dynamic response, control stability, thermal limits and performance margins.

• Contribute to system safety activities, including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Mode Effect Analyses (FMEA) and System Safety Assessments (SSA), in accordance with applicable airworthiness and safety standards.

• Identify and assess applicable certification requirements, means of compliance and industry standards, including relevant aspects of EASA SC E-19, and ensure that certification considerations are addressed throughout the development cycle.

• Coordinate the electric engine development and qualification test campaigns, in collaboration with the testing team, including the definition of test plans, objectives, and success criteria.

• Review and assess test results, identify technical risks and deviations, and coordinate the resolution of issues encountered during testing.

• Prepare and review technical documentation, including specifications, interface documents, design reviews, qualification reports, and compliance statements.

• Support prototype build, aircraft integration and ground/flight testing activities throughout the maturation of the propulsion system

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related technical field.

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the development, integration or testing of electric motors, engine controllers/inverters or integrated electric-drive systems.

• Strong knowledge of electric machines and power electronics, including motor topologies, inverter architectures, operating characteristics & limits, losses & thermal behaviour, motor control strategies & protection functions, and manufacturing processes.

• Broad understanding of electric engine development, including thermal management, insulation systems, high-voltage systems, EMC, mechanical integrity, reliability & durability, and system integration.

• Experience defining and managing technical requirements, specifications, interfaces and verification strategies for electric engines or electric-drive systems.

• Experience collaborating with external development partners, engineering service providers or aerospace suppliers.

• A high degree of self-motivation, resilience, reliability and precision, combined with a strong sense of ownership.

• Strong analytical, technical-writing and written communication skills.

• Excellent verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in another European language is an asset.

• Passionate about aviation and the electrification of the aviation industry.

• Previous experience as a Certification Verification Engineer or in a comparable compliance-related role is a plus.

• Familiarity with EASA SC E-19 and its application to electric or hybrid propulsion systems would be an advantage.

• Experience in verification, validation and qualification of electric engines, including performance, thermal, endurance and environmental testing, would be a plus.

• Previous experience working within an EASA Part 21J Design Organisation or an international equivalent is a plus.

• Knowledge of systems engineering and safety assessment methodologies, such as SAE ARP4754A and ARP4761, would be beneficial.

• Specialized expertise in thermal management, high-voltage insulation systems, EMC, electric machine mechanics and vibration, or propulsion-system integration is an advantage.

We recognize that women and other under-represented groups are often overlooked in our industry. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Talent and potential can’t always be captured in a checklist.

Why us?

• Be part of an ambitious team determined to shape the future of aviation.

• We are an in-office company, but we value flexibility and trust employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work or adjusting hours to accommodate personal commitments.

• Subsidized EGYM Wellpass membership: your (mental) health is important for us.

• Enjoy a subsidized lunch with a 5€ company contribution per meal on office days.

• Become a part of our success with virtual stock options.

• Choose the option that suits your needs: either a free charging station for your electric car or a public transport job ticket as part of the Deutschlandticket.

• Lease a high-quality bicycle or e-bike through our JobRad program and benefit from tax advantages. Whether for your daily commute or personal use, enjoy more mobility and sustainability.

• Pension scheme to support your long-term financial security.

• Work in one of our offices in Munich or Delft. Enjoy the modern Balan Campus in Munich or work inside the aerospace ecosystem at TU Delft.

• Boost your professional as well as personal growth executing your own ideas and independent projects.

• Join our internal social events and retreats (e.g. cooking, game nights, sports).

VÆRIDION was founded in 2021 to transform regional air travel with the Microliner, a 100% electric commercial aircraft. By delivering the most energy-efficient aircraft, we are building the future where clean, safe, and affordable electric aviation seamlessly connects people and businesses. We’re bringing together the brightest minds in aerospace, automotive engineering, and business to disrupt the aviation industry.

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