Chief Aerospace Engineer – Powertrain & Performance

Chief Engineer – Powertrain Integration & Performance

A career at Lilium is for those who want to do something extraordinary, yet with a meaningful purpose. We take pride in pushing the very boundaries of technology and customer experience to deliver something that has never been done before.

What we do here is hard, but then very few things worth achieving are easy. By joining Lilium you will have the opportunity to work with our world-class entrepreneurial team who are as passionate about emissions-free transportation as you are.

We are also passionate about creating an inclusive culture, with more than 40 nationalities working with us to bring our vision of a sustainable world to life.

Your role and your team:

You will report directly to the Chief Engineer.

The Chief Engineer for Powertrain integration & performance forms part of the project leadership team responsible for managing and delivering a certifiable Pegasus aircraft and provides technical leadership to a multi-disciplined engineering team.

You will be responsible for technical approval of the integrated systems that make up the aircraft powertrain and FBW system to ensure that it meets aircraft and business requirements and ultimately delivers a certifiable system satisfying through life cost and quality targets.  Your areas of technical responsibility include:

• Powertrain (Lift/Thrust)
• Aircraft and system performance (inc downwash)
• Icing and Ice Protection

You will support the complete product development life cycle for the technical areas within your responsibility including technical strategy, requirements, solution development, integration, verification and certification of the aircraft. You will be based at Lilium headquarters.  Frequent travel is not expected for this role, but infrequent travel my be required for business to trips to partners, suppliers and conferences.

Your Day to Day:

• Responsible for technical approval and acceptance of the integrated systems that make up the aircraft powertrain (Propulsion & Flight Control System, EPS and IPS) and determination of the aircraft level performance and limitations delivered by these systems.
• Develop and coordinate a team of engineers to ensure the delivery of the powertrain (Lift/Thrust system). From within Chief engineering, work closely with the Integrated Project Teams and our program office to ensure consistency of design and schedule across groups.
• Review and approve aircraft and system level documentation. Ensure that detailed item, system and aircraft designs are defined and integrated into a certifiable aircraft configuration that best meets project requirements of unit cost, performance, safety and maintainability.
• Organise meetings, risk reviews, planning sessions, and technical design meetings. Provide technical leadership and mentorship throughout the program and resolve technical problems that would affect safety, schedule, performance and cost.
• Define and oversee Safety of Flight (SoF) activities for powertrain systems, including flight conditions for prototype clearance.
• Coordinate system and aircraft verification activities for the powertrain with IPTs.
• Plan and lead discussions with regulatory authorities and airworthiness bodies.
• Support the Function Heads to secure sustainable improvement in the Engineering Organisations’ capability.
• Develop Enhancement Strategies by creating strategies for post-Type Certification improvements in weight, range, and temperature clearance.

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Aeronautics, Physics, Electrical / Mechanical Engineering
• Proven track record within Aviation industry with a min of 10+ years’ experience in Chief Engineering Office, or related system engineering position required
• Detailed experience of air vehicle design and certification
• Demonstrated experience managing aspects of Electrical Powertrain and/or Fly-by-Wire flight control systems
• Experience in leading multidiscipline teams
• Strong motivation to help build and shape the organization, structures and processes
• High level of self-reliance with the ability to work in a team, as well as autonomously
• Target-oriented, driven workstyle with analytic problem-solving skills required
• Fluent English language skills are essential, fluent German or any other language would be beneficial

Life at Lilium:

• At Lilium, you’ll have the responsibility and freedom to act as an entrepreneur. You’ll be working with bright and driven colleagues from different industries, countries and backgrounds who are all united in one common goal, challenging and supporting each other to make Lilium successful.
• As well as free language courses, weekly yoga sessions, complimentary lunch each day, we also have an in-house gym and a relaxation room. By pairing that with a free shuttle bus to and from our local train station, as well as bikes you can borrow to cycle around our campus, we aim to make it as easy as possible to travel here, while reducing our own carbon footprint. We also have a rooftop terrace where you can watch planes taking off all day long!