Lead Technical Product Manager at green-tech compressor start-up

In Germany, heat accounts for 50% of total end-use energy consumption, with over 90% stemming from fossil fuels and biomass. Most of this heat is used for buildings, yet for 85% of German buildings, no commercially viable, clean energy source currently exists. Even with rising gas prices, heat pumps need to become at least 20% more efficient to be cost-competitive.

We aim to revolutionize the energy sector and seek an ambitious engineer to lead our innovative "Proof of Concept" project. You will play a key role in our R&D efforts and the development of a novel self-healing mechanism that could make energy recovery in heat pump cycles practical, increasing efficiency by at least 20%. Your work will directly contribute to making cleaner heating and cooling systems more resource-efficient and commercially viable.

As an Engineer, you will lead project execution through hands-on engineering, collaborating with team members and service providers.

What’s in it for you?

• Be at the forefront of addressing critical energy challenges.
• Work on innovative, game-changing technologies.
• Learn and apply cutting-edge AI-driven engineering workflows.
• Enhance your project management and engineering skills with mentoring and development opportunities.
• Join a friendly, driven team of professionals.
• Enjoy flexible work arrangements, including hybrid setups and flexible hours.
• While we may not compete with large corporations on salary, we offer comfortable living conditions and fair share opportunities based on the slicing pie principle, which could be highly valuable if successful.

Your Contribution to Our Mission

• Manage the technical aspects of our Material and Compressor Test Rigs, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective data acquisition during research and prototyping.
• Contribute hands-on to designing and building our test rigs and prototype expander.
• Refine our innovative expansion regulation mechanism.
• Observe performance and cavitation effects under various conditions.
• Estimate product lifetime based on collected data.

Your Responsibilities

• Maintain technical files and generate design documents using our AI-supported workflow.
• Contribute directly to engineering tasks and compile results into finalized project outcomes.
• Manage and update the project plan for the "Proof of Concept" and future projects.
• Ensure efficient use of the project budget.
• Delegate tasks, negotiate contracts, and communicate with service providers to ensure project success.
• Document results and integrate findings into the broader R&D program.

What We're Looking for

• A motivated leader with an impact-driven mindset.
• Broad engineering skills, including CAD (preferably Autodesk Inventor), Mechanical Engineering, Material Sciences, and Project Management.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Proficiency in prototyping methods (CAM, 3D printing, assembly, testing).
• Interest in expanding knowledge in injection molding, sealing technology, tribology, compliance, and safety.
• Excellent problem-solving and resource management skills.
• Self-sufficient and independent work ethic.
• At least 3 years of full-time work experience.
• Valid work permit for Germany.
• Residing in the Stuttgart area.
• Availability to start in July or August.

If you're excited to join us on this journey, we look forward to hearing from you!