Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration Engineer in the UAE. You will own propulsion installation design, rotor dynamics, and integration with airframe, thermals and cooling.

The role spans from propulsor aeromechanics to powertrain installation with potential for specialised growth within the programme. The candidate should bring 10+ years in propulsion installation and hardware testing, with strong vibration and aeroacoustic experience, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in propulsion installation, turbomachinery, rotor, fan or propeller engineering in aircraft applications
• Strong rotor dynamics and vibration knowledge with test-to-design traceability
• Experience with propulsor testing and associated hardware validation
• Familiarity with integration of propulsion systems with airframe, aerodynamics and cooling

Responsibilities

• Lead propulsor design including duct and shroud geometry, blade design and clearance.
• Own rotor dynamics and vibration analysis across hover, transition and cruise.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures and systems teams on acoustics constraints.
• Lead powertrain installation engineering including mounts, pylons and load paths.
• Assess installation impacts on aircraft aerodynamics and propulsion performance.
• Oversee propulsor and installation testing (thrust stands, whirl rigs) and translate results into design changes.
• Coordinate with propulsion, aerodynamics, structures and test teams.

Skills

Propulsion installation

Rotor dynamics

Vibration analysis

Propulsor testing

Aeroacoustics

Tools

Thrust stands

Whirl rigs

Job description

Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration Engineer

Location: UAE

About the Role

As the Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration Engineer, you will take technical ownership of the aircraft’s propulsors and their integration into the airframe.

You will work across shrouded lift fans, cruise pushers and the associated powertrain installation, ensuring the propulsion system delivers the required performance while integrating effectively with the aircraft structure, aerodynamics, cooling and wider systems.

This is a broad Phase 1 role combining propulsor aeromechanics and powertrain installation, with the opportunity for the function to develop into more specialised roles as the programme grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead propulsor design, including duct and shroud geometry, blade design, hub and bearing arrangements, tip clearance and performance across hover, transition and cruise.
• Own rotor dynamics and vibration analysis, including critical speeds, imbalance, blade-loss scenarios and vibration transmission into the airframe.
• Consider propulsor acoustics as a key design constraint, working closely with the aerodynamics and flight sciences teams.
• Lead powertrain installation engineering, including mounts, pylons, load paths, alignment and maintenance accessibility.
• Assess installation impacts on aircraft aerodynamics and overall propulsion performance.
• Own the one-drive-inoperative installation case, including asymmetric loads, vibration, thermal effects and implications for structure and cooling.
• Lead cooling installation design, including inlets, ducting, heat exchanger placement and installed thermal performance in hot-climate hover conditions.
• Provide propulsor and installation inputs into aircraft-level mass, energy and power assessments.
• Lead propulsor and installation testing, including thrust stand, whirl rig and vibration testing.
• Analyse test results and translate findings into design improvements.
• Work closely with propulsion, aerodynamics, structures, systems, test and manufacturing teams.

Required Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in propulsion installation, turbomachinery, rotor, fan or propeller engineering, including at least 4 years in aircraft applications.
• Proven ownership of a fan, propeller, rotor or propulsion installation design through to hardware and testing.
• Strong rotor dynamics and vibration knowledge, including critical speed analysis, imbalance, blade-loss cases and vibration transmission.
• Strong installation engineering experience, including mounts, load paths, alignment and integration with aircraft aerodynamics.
• Sufficient aerodynamic expertise to take ownership of propulsor performance and work effectively with dedicated aerodynamics teams.
• Experience with thrust stands, whirl rigs or equivalent propulsor testing, with the ability to translate test results into design changes.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with ducted, shrouded or distributed electric propulsion.
• Experience with eVTOL aircraft, particularly hover, transition and one-unit-inoperative conditions.
• Experience in aeroacoustics and community noise certification.
• Experience with whirl flutter and aeroelastic interactions between propulsors and flexible structures.
• Composite blade design and qualification experience.