Development Engineer - Aero-Thermal & Powertrain Systems (Germany-based)

Greenjets; Greater London; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Greenjets, an innovative engineering company, is seeking a Development Engineer with a strong aero-thermal background and hands-on experience with electric powertrain components. Based in Germany with regular UK travel, you will own system development from concept through production.

You will collaborate across aerodynamics, thermal management and powertrain integration, ensure performance, reliability and manufacturability, and guide design decisions with data from analysis, simulation and

Qualifications

• Experience in aero-thermal engineering, propulsion system development or related aerospace fields.
• Proven embedded hardware and software development, including integration, debugging, and validation.
• Practical experience with electric powertrain components (motors, batteries, controllers) and system-level interaction.
• Experience developing drone or aircraft systems with rapid prototyping and integration challenges.
• Experience across full development lifecycle from concept to production with supplier/customer interaction.
• Fluency in English; German knowledge is a plus for collaboration.
• Eligible to work with export-controlled technologies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, controls, manufacturing and test teams as a key technical interface.
• Develop powertrain systems focusing on aero-thermal performance, cooling, airflow, and thermal robustness.
• Define and own development plans, requirements, and trade studies for performance, mass, cost.
• Use analysis, simulation and test data to guide design decisions and resolve trade-offs.
• Support prototyping activities from configuration to build and rapid iteration.
• Coordinate with test teams to define approaches, analyze results and drive improvements.
• Work with suppliers and customers to transition from prototype to production-ready designs.
• Act as technical contact for customers and translate requirements into deliverables.
• Assist in transitioning developed systems into production with manufacturing and quality teams.

Skills

Aero-thermal engineering

Propulsion system development

Embedded hardware development

Embedded software development

System integration

Prototype development

Technical ownership

Requirements analysis

Communication skills

Export-controlled compliance

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.

About the Job:

Greenjets is seeking a Development Engineer with a strong background in aero-thermal engineering and practical experience working with electric powertrain components, including motors, batteries and motor controllers. This is a senior, hands-on engineering role, based in Germany, intended for an engineer who can take technical ownership of system development from early concept through to production.

Support development activities across aerodynamics, thermal management and powertrain integration. Ensuring that performance, reliability and manufacturability are addressed in a coherent way. The role requires sound engineering judgement and the ability to balance competing requirements in an evolving development environment.

What You'll Do:

• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, controls, manufacturing and test teams, and act as a key technical interface to suppliers and customers
• Support the development of powertrain systems with a focus on aero-thermal performance, including cooling of motors, power electronics and batteries, airflow management and thermal robustness under demanding operating conditions
• Define and own development plans, requirements and technical trade studies covering performance, efficiency, mass, thermal limits, reliability and cost
• Use analysis, simulation and test data to guide design decisions and resolve system-level trade-offs
• Support prototyping activities, including definition of prototype configurations, coordination of build activities and rapid iteration based on test results
• Supporting prototyping activities, including definition of prototype configurations, coordination of build activities and rapid iteration based on test results
• Work closely with test teams to define test approaches, analyze results and drive design improvements
• Integrate and work hands-on with powertrain components such as electric motors, battery systems and motor controllers, ensuring that aero-thermal, electrical, mechanical and control aspects are aligned at system level
• Engage directly with suppliers, supporting component selection, technical evaluation, development collaboration and the transition from prototype solutions to production-ready designs
• Act as a technical point of contact for customers, supporting technical discussions, design reviews and demonstrations, and ensuring that customer requirements are translated into realistic and deliverable engineering solutions
• Support the transition of developed systems into production, working with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure designs are robust, repeatable and suitable for scale-up

Desirable Qualifications, Experience & Attributes:

• Experience in aero-thermal engineering, propulsion system development or closely related fields within aerospace, unmanned systems, motorsport or other high-performance engineering environments
• Proven experience with embedded hardware and software development, including system integration, debugging, and validation.
• Have practical experience working with electric powertrain components such as motors, batteries and motor controllers, and understand how these components interact at system level
• Have experience developing systems for drones or other aircraft, with a solid understanding of aircraft-level constraints, integration challenges and rapid prototyping approaches
• Experience working across the full development lifecycle — from concept and prototype through customer delivery and production — is essential. You will be comfortable working directly with suppliers and customers and taking responsibility for technical outcomes
• Fluency inEnglish is required. German language skills are advantageous, particularly for collaboration with local suppliers and partners
• Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible to work with export-controlled technologies in accordance with applicable regulations
• You will be a pragmatic, delivery-focused engineer with strong problem-solving skills, clear communication and the confidence to make sound engineering decisions in ambiguous situations

Location and Employment

This role is based in Germany, with regular travel to the UK required to support development, integration and testing activities.

The position is offered as a permanent role. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and level of responsibility.