Lead Thermal Engineer - Heat Exchangers

BlueHeart Energy; Heemskerk; Hybrid; EUR 69,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP scheme

Hybrid work

25 vacation days

Training opportunities

Pension scheme

Commuting allowance

Well-being program

Job summary

BlueHeart Energy in the Netherlands is seeking a Lead Thermal Engineer with strong heat exchanger expertise to own the design, development and industrialization of our heat exchanger systems. You will drive projects from early concept through supplier engagement and validation, ensuring delivery on time, budget and performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams across R&D, supply chain and manufacturing, review CFD/FEA results, define performance targets, guide testing campaigns, and ensure

Qualifications

• 5+ years in mechanical/thermal engineering; 8+ years preferred.
• Proven experience in heat exchanger design and thermal systems.
• Strong project management with end-to-end delivery experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead heat exchanger development from concept to release.
• Define scope, milestones, and timelines.
• Plan resources, budget, and risk management.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration (R&D, Supply Chain, Quality).
• Monitor progress and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure clear stakeholder communication and reporting.
• Guide testing campaigns and interpret results.
• Ensure manufacturability and supplier capability alignment.

Skills

Thermal engineering

Project management

Heat exchanger design

CFD/FEA

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Mechanical/Thermal Engineering degree

Tools

CFD software

FEA software

Job description

About BlueHeart Energy BlueHeart Energy was founded in 2016 as a deep-tech company that has developed a new sustainable thermoacoustics technology to radically improve the performance of heat pumps, enabling them to evolve from being the best solution in the market to becoming the perfect solution. Our technology is a disruptive approach to generate heat and cold, with potential to revolutionize the whole industry.

About BlueHeart Energy BlueHeart Energy was founded in 2016 as a deep-tech company that has developed a new sustainable thermoacoustics technology to radically improve the performance of heat pumps, enabling them to evolve from being the best solution in the market to becoming the perfect solution. With our so called 'Blue Heart' inside, heat pumps turn into affordable, silent and flexible devices, capable of working with wide temperature ranges suitable for both new and existing houses. Importantly, BlueHeart doesn’t require any refrigerants and doesn’t generate any CO2e emissions.

About The Role

We are looking for a Lead Thermal Engineer with strong heat exchanger expertise to take ownership of the design, development, and industrialization of our heat exchanger systems. This role combines deep technical responsibility with end-to-end project leadership. You will drive projects from early concept and design through supplier engagement and validation, ensuring delivery on time, budget, and performance. You act as the single point of accountability for heat exchanger programs, aligning internal teams, suppliers, and stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

Project Ownership (Primary Focus)

• Lead heat exchanger development projects from concept → design → sourcing → validation → release
• Define project scope, deliverables, milestones, and timelines
• Plan and manage resources, budget, and risks
• Drive cross-functional collaboration (R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, external partners)
• Monitor progress and implement corrective actions when deviations occur
• Ensure clear stakeholder communication and reporting

Technical Leadership – Heat Exchangers

• Lead the design and optimization of heat exchangers and thermal subsystems
• Review thermal calculations, CFD/FEA simulations, and performance analysis
• Define and validate performance targets (efficiency, pressure drop, durability)
• Guide testing campaigns and interpretation of results
• Ensure designs are suitable for manufacturing and supplier capabilities

Supplier & Industrialization Management

• Manage external suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Drive design-for-manufacturing (DfM) and cost optimization
• Oversee technical discussions, specification alignment, and sourcing decisions
• Ensure quality and performance compliance of delivered components

Risk, Quality & Delivery

• Identify technical and project risks, define mitigation strategies
• Implement and follow quality planning and validation strategy
• Ensure timely delivery of validated components and documentation

What We’re Looking For

Must-have

• Mechanical Engineering / Thermal Engineering or similar background, with a minimum of 5 years of work experience; 8+ years preferred
• Strong experience with heat exchanger design and thermal systems
• Proven experience in project management (end-to-end delivery)
• Experience working in complex engineering environments (automotive, heat pump, refrigeration, maritime preferred)
• Hands‑on experience on reviewing:
• Thermal calculations and simulations (CFD/FEA)
• Testing and validation methodologies
• Strong ownership mindset and ability to drive decisions under uncertainty

Nice-to-have

• Experience with supplier management and sourcing processes
• Experience in high pressure equipments
• Familiarity with industrialization / scale-up environment
• Experience in clean-tech, HVAC, or heat pump systems
• Experience with brazing/welding processes preferably in heat exchanger production.

What Success Looks Like

• Projects delivered on time, on cost, and meeting performance targets
• Strong alignment between design, testing, and supplier execution
• Clear ownership and accountability of HX deliverables
• Continuous improvement in performance and manufacturability

What We Offer

• Salary range between € 6.200 - € 7.300 monthly gross depending on experience.
• Opportunity to participate in the ESOP scheme, directly linked to company value creation and individual performance.
• 25 vacation days.
• Hybrid work arrangement supporting autonomy and work–life balance.
• Training opportunities to support in your personal and professional development with access to extensive training opportunities at your request.
• Access to OpenUp, because we prioritize mental well‑being.
• Participation in our pension scheme with employer contribution.
• Commuting allowance, in line with our travel policy.
• A strategic role in a purpose‑driven scale‑up, contributing to a greener world and shaping the future of sustainable thermal technology. Learn more about our mission here.