Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd is seeking a highly experienced Principal Propulsor & Powertrain Integration Engineer in the UAE. The role centers on technical ownership of aircraft propulsion integration, from ducted propulsion and rotor considerations to powertrain installation and thermal management.

You will lead cross-functional efforts with aerodynamics, structures, systems and manufacturing teams to ensure propulsion performance and airframe integration meet program goals under

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in propulsion installation, turbomachinery, rotor, fan or propeller engineering, including at least 4 years in aircraft applications.

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.

Skills

Propulsion design

Rotor dynamics

Propulsion installation

Aerodynamics integration

Vibration analysis

Thermal management

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.