#ZEROe Lead Engineer, Cryogenic Fluid Mechanical Equipment

Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG; Filton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company based in the UK is seeking a Lead Engineer for Cryogenic Fluid Mechanical Equipment. This pivotal role involves designing the core fuel system architecture for an innovative hydrogen-powered aircraft. Successful candidates will manage supplier integration and oversee the design and testing of fluid mechanical systems, requiring significant experience in cryogenics and fluid mechanics. This position offers competitive compensation, flexible working, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual profit share

Bupa health insurance

Flexible working hours

Unlimited access to e-learning courses

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in complex fluid systems design and qualification.
• Significant exposure to cryogenics, preferably liquid hydrogen.
• Familiarity with aerospace engineering processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop specifications for fluid mechanical equipment in the ZEROe fuel system.
• Manage suppliers and oversee design and integration of components.
• Define testing strategy for fluid mechanical equipment.

Skills

Cryogenic fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanical components

Safety/reliability analysis

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Airbus is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Engineer, Cryogenic Fluid Mechanical Equipment to join the pioneering ZEROe program. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of aviation by designing the core fuel system architecture for our first‑generation, large commercial aircraft powered by cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) and using fuel cells for propulsion. The successful candidate will be responsible within Airbus for specifying and integrating fluid mechanical equipment within the early TRL process for the LH2 fuel system, ensuring its safe, efficient, and reliable operation. This role requires managing internal stakeholders for integration within the aircraft and external suppliers responsible for the detailed design, qualification, and manufacture of this equipment. HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM

Technical Specification and Design

• Develop and own the complete set of technical specifications, requirements, and interfaces for fluid mechanical equipment in the ZEROe fuel system, including:
  • Cryogenic valves (e.g., shut‑off, regulation, relief, check valves)
  • Instrumentation and sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow)
• Ensure designs comply with relevant airworthiness regulations (EASA, FAA) and internal Airbus standards.

Supplier Management and Oversight

• Act as the Airbus technical focal point for external suppliers and partners.
• Manage supplier technical activities, overseeing detailed design, analysis and simulation performed by supplier teams.
• Review and approve supplier documentation, including design reports, drawings, test plans and qualification evidence.
• Ensure successful integration of supplied components into the overall aircraft fuel system, managing mechanical, electrical and data interfaces.

Verification and Validation

• Define the test and qualification strategy for the fluid mechanical equipment, spanning component‑level tests to full‑scale system integration testing.
• Witness and approve critical design verification and qualification tests (e.g., cryogenic cycles, vibration, burst pressure).
• Support the overall aircraft system certification process.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 8‑10 years of experience in the design, specification and qualification of complex fluid systems, with significant exposure to cryogenics (preferably liquid hydrogen, LH2) or similar high‑performance fluid systems.
• Deep understanding of cryogenic fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer.
• Proven experience with fluid mechanical components.
• Familiarity with aerospace systems engineering processes and safety/reliability analysis (e.g., FMEA).
• This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Compensation and Benefits

• Financial reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options, car leasing scheme, free onsite parking, season ticket loan, tax‑free technology scheme, shopping discounts and more.
• Work/Life balance: 35‑hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off, hybrid working, option to buy/sell holiday.
• Personal development: Personalised development plan, Airbus Leadership University and unlimited access to 10,000+ e‑learning courses, internal mobility including international opportunities.
• Health & wellbeing: Bupa health insurance (including assisted fertility treatments and gender dysphoria & reassignment support), wellbeing benefits (24/7 online GP and mental health support), discounted family health/dental insurance/eye tests, cycle‑to‑work scheme, on‑site canteen and coffee shop, lunchtime yoga/meditation.
• Family and caregiving: Life assurance, enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and caregiving and purpose‑built maternity rooms on site.
• Inclusive environment: Wellbeing room, multi‑faith room, Employee Representative Groups (Gender, LGBTQ+, International, Generational, Disability, Social & Cultural Diversity, Neurodiversity).

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail]. At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.