Aircraft Development Engineer

Greenjets; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Greenjets is an innovative engineering company developing high-performance propulsion systems for the aviation market in the UK.

The Aircraft Development Engineer role brings CAD designs to life through integration, assembly and iterative testing of a flying prototype.

You will work with Mechanical and Aircraft Design Engineers, assemble structures, install propulsion systems, integrate avionics and support ground and flight testing.

Qualifications

• Background in aerospace or mechanical engineering with hands-on experience in building or testing aircraft components.
• Strong practical skills in assembly, wiring, bonding and mechanical fitting.
• Experience interpreting and modifying CAD designs for prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Build and assemble aircraft structures and subsystems from detailed designs
• Integrate propulsion systems, avionics, control systems and payloads
• Support ground testing and flight testing of prototype aircraft
• Identify integration issues and feed practical improvements back into design
• Modify and iterate aircraft quickly based on test results
• Work closely with field operations during test campaigns
• Maintain build documentation and configuration control

Skills

Aerospace engineering background

Mechanical engineering background

Practical assembly and fabrication

CAD experience

UAV/model aircraft experience

Hands-on problem-solving

Willingness to learn by doing

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

About Us:

Greenjets is an innovative engineering company developing high-performance propulsion systems for the aviation market. Our work spans research and development, engine production, aircraft systems, technical integration and flight testing. We are committed to delivering high-grade engineering and best-in-class propulsion for unmanned aircraft.

We do things differently. We move fast, we experiment and we adopt technologies that push beyond the current state of the art. Our aim is to go further, faster and more efficiently, while keeping costs competitive.

All our propulsion systems are designed, developed and manufactured in the UK. We focus on high quality, reliable and cost effective products supported by a robust, secure and ethical supply chain.

About the Job:

The Aircraft Development Engineer is responsible for bringing aircraft designs to life. This role is about integration, build and iteration - taking designs from CAD and turning them into a fully functioning, flying prototype ready for testing.

You’ll work closely with Mechanical Design Engineers and Aircraft Design Engineers, assembling structures, installing propulsion systems, integrating avionics and solving the real-world problems that only appear once an aircraft exists physically.

This is a highly hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys building, modifying and flying hardware - whether from a formal aerospace background or the model aircraft / UAV world.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and assemble aircraft structures and subsystems from detailed designs
• Integrate propulsion systems, avionics, control systems and payloads
• Support ground testing and flight testing of prototype aircraft
• Identify integration issues and feed practical improvements back into design
• Modify and iterate aircraft quickly based on test results
• Work closely with field operations during test campaigns
• Maintain build documentation and configuration control

Desirable Qualifications, Experience & Attributes:

• Background in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or equivalent hands-on experience
• Strong practical skills — assembly, wiring, bonding, mechanical fitting
• CAD experience strongly preferred, with ability to interpret and modify designs
• Experience building or operating UAVs, model aircraft or experimental aircraft is highly valued
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment
• Problem-solver with a "make it work" mindset
• Willingness to get hands dirty and learn by doing