Head of Engineering Design

Alva Industries; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dynamic Head of Engineering Design to lead the development of next-generation electric motors. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the mechanical design for applications in aerospace, defense, and robotics. The position combines strategic leadership with hands-on engineering, requiring collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure performance and manufacturability. You will manage a team of engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation while driving projects from concept to production. If you are passionate about engineering and ready to make a significant impact, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in mechanical engineering and product design.
• Experience leading teams and managing projects.
• Expertise in PLM and eBOM systems is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of electric motors for various applications.
• Mentor engineers and drive continuous improvement.
• Manage project timelines and resource allocation.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Product Design

Team Leadership

Problem-Solving

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

CAD Software

PLM Systems

FEA Software

CFD Software

Job description

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on engineering leader to drive the design and development of our next-generation electric motors.

As Head of Engineering Design, you will play a key role in shaping the mechanical design of high-performance motors for aerospace, defense, marine propulsion, and robotics applications. This is a team-leader role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on engineering, ensuring our motors meet stringent performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams to bring cutting-edge motor technology from concept to production while fostering a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

You will manage a team of 5-10 engineers across multiple disciplines, balancing workload planning, resource allocation, and fostering team motivation and well-being.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and actively participate in the design and development of Alva’s electric motors, ensuring performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Drive the mechanical design of next-generation motors, including rotor/stator design, thermal management, and integration with customer systems.
• Contribute to CAD modelling, analysis (FEA, CFD, etc.), prototyping, and validation of new designs.
• Mentor engineers through hands-on problem-solving in design, material selection, and process optimization.
• Manage work packages and workload planning, ensuring stakeholders receive up-to-date project timelines and resource forecasts.
• Lead DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly) efforts to enhance production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement and maintain PLM and eBOM systems to support structured product development and revision control.
• Collaborate with Test & Validation, Commissioning, Supply Chain, and Production Engineering teams to ensure seamless transition from design to manufacturing.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in motor design and associated manufacturing processes, leveraging simulation, testing, and iterative design methodologies.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering and product design.
• Experience from a team leadership role.
• Experience in taking mechanical products from concept to volume production.
• Expertise in PLM and eBOM systems is highly desirable.