THERMAL LEADER (M/F)

FLYING WHALES; Puteaux; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

The opportunity to become a sharehoder

Remote working opportunities

Company gym on-site

Job summary

FLYING WHALES is seeking a Thermal Leader to oversee thermal engineering across the airship program, within the Physical Architecture Department. You will lead thermal management design, develop both physical and mathematical models, and contribute to certifications and interfaces with external labs.

The role requires a Master’s in engineering and 5–10 years of thermal experience, with fluency in English and French.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in General Engineering (Thermal/Aerospace) or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of experience in thermal engineering.
• Strong command of English and French.

Responsibilities

• Thermal management design for the airship and equipment.
• Trade-off analyses of cooling circuits and aerothermal systems.
• Develop physical, thermal, hydraulic, and control models using Simscape/Simulink.
• Perform preliminary thermal sizing including pumps and heat exchangers.
• Draft and contribute to thermal specifications at aircraft, system, and component levels.
• Support IVVQ planning and certification activities.
• Coordinate with external laboratories and research institutions.

Skills

CFD analysis

Thermal engineering

Aerothermal engineering

Thermomechanics

System integration

Education

Master's degree in General/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

OpenFOAM

MATLAB/Simulink/Simscape

OMNIS meshing

Excel VBA

Python

Job description

FLYING WHALES is an extraordinary industrial adventure.

Today, we design. Tomorrow, we will build and operate a fleet of LCA60T airships dedicated to cargo transportation. Capable of loading and unloading up to 60 tonnes of cargo (wind turbine blades, heavy equipment, timber, mobile hospitals, etc.) while hovering, with a reduced environmental footprint, this transportation system is unprecedented.

At FLYING WHALES, we have an ambitious vision that already brings together more than 200 pioneers and around 40 partner companies. These 21st-century pioneers contribute their enthusiasm, passion, and expertise every day to bring to life not only a new transportation solution, but also an idea: that businesses must be able to continue connecting people and territories in order to grow.

This is the mission FLYING WHALES has set for itself: to improve access to remote regions around the world while contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the transportation sector through a low-carbon aircraft.

Would you like to be part of the team writing a new chapter in aviation history?

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for a Thermal Leader who will oversee thermal engineering activities across the entire airship.

The position is within the Physical Architecture Department. The successful candidate should demonstrate proven expertise in thermal engineering theory and mathematics, aerothermal engineering, thermomechanics, hydraulics, and a strong understanding of physical systems integration.

YOUR MISSIONS :

Your main responsibilities will include:

Thermal management design for the airship and its equipment:

• Conduct trade-off analyses of cooling circuit architectures and aerothermal systems.
• Develop detailed physical, thermal, hydraulic, and control models using Simscape/Simulink.
• Perform preliminary thermal and hydraulic sizing, including first-order calculations for pumps and heat exchangers.
• Support the definition and validation of Functional Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Support the integration and validation of suppliers' thermal models.
• Draft and contribute to thermal specifications at aircraft, system, and component levels.
• Develop or contribute to thermal management architecture documentation and technical design notes.
• Support the Integration, Verification, Validation, and Qualification (IVVQ) plan.
• Contribute to certification activities, including the analysis of certification requirements, Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC), and Guidance Material (GM).
• Establish relationships with external laboratories and research institutions, such as CNES, to conduct independent technical reviews.

YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

Education: Master's degree (Bac+5) in General Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent discipline.

Professional experience: At least 5–10 years of experience in thermal engineering.

YOUR SKILLS :

Technical skills:

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), particularly OpenFOAM.
• MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape.
• Meshing software (OMNIS meshing tools).
• Excel VBA.
• Python programming.

Engineering design and development skills:

• Understanding of engineering design methodologies, including modelling approaches, maturity levels, and interfaces with other engineering disciplines.
• Engineering lifecycle management, including milestone preparation, exit criteria, and deliverable definition.
• Strong knowledge of physical systems integration and associated technologies.
• Good understanding of certification and qualification requirements.
• Ability to coordinate iterative design cycles and the LDEV programme.

YOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES :

• Strong listening skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Good command of both English and French.
• Leadership, team management, and team-building skills.

WHAT WE OFFER :

• The opportunity to become a shareholder in the company.
• Excellent career development opportunities within a fast-growing company.
• Remote working opportunities.
• An on-site gym.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS :

• An interview with Clément, Talent Acquisition Specialist.
• An interview with Pierrot, Head of the Physical Architecture Department.
• An interview with Olivier, Technical Director.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION :

• Location: Suresnes, France (92).
• Department: Logical Architecture.
• Reference: 175LEADTH.

FLYING WHALES is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees are valued for their skills, experience, and contributions.

If you are passionate about engineering, believe in our project, and see this position as an exciting opportunity, we would be delighted to meet you!