Head of Design Services & Compliance Verification Engineer (d/f/m)

Job Description:

As an employee of Aerostack, a Joint Venture between Airbus and an automotive company, and in line with Airbus strategy to accelerate Zero Emission Aircraft development, you will be part of a collaborative team developing PEM fuel cell stack for aeronautic applications.

The jobholder will a member of the Engineering Department.

Key Accountabilities:

Design Service Team: Leading and driving the Design Service Team. Manage proactively the design services for the projects, provide mentorship and continuously improve engineering methods, tools and skills.

V&V Strategy & TRL5+ Compliance Demonstration: Leading the qualification related activities for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or higher and ensuring the implementation of the Means of Compliance within the overall V&V activities. Proactively establish and conduct preliminary testing to identify and address potential certification roadblocks well in advance of final homologation.

Data Correlation & Gate Review Documentation: Accountable for validating empirical test data against analytical models, maintaining strict requirements traceability, and compiling the definitive evidence engineering dossier required to formally pass the TRL 5 milestone and above.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Lead

Team Mentorship & Resource & Standards: You serve as the bridge between management, project management and the design service team, assigning tasks based on individual strengths while providing technical guidance and professional development to the stack designers. You define and enforce CAD standards, manage the project pipeline to ensure deadlines are met and ensure configuration management requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: You act as the primary point of contact for engineers, architects, or manufacturing teams to resolve design conflicts, integrate feedback, and ensure the CAD output aligns with broader project requirements.

Verification & Validation (V&V)

Define the Means of Validation & Verification based on the qualification requirements defined from Airbus and standards.

Test Strategy & Planning: Develop comprehensive V&V plans, test cases, and procedures for parts, components and stacks based on engineering requirements and the V-Model.

Prototyping & Lab Testing: Design, set up, and coordinate V&V tests on early-stage prototypes in lab environments to industrially relevant environments (TRL 5) and above.

Requirements Traceability: Ensure continuous traceability between product requirements, system specifications, and test results using requirements management tools.

Steering and overseeing validation and verification activities.

Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze test data, identify failure modes, and document results in clear, actionable engineering reports.

Design Feedback: Work closely with design, test engineers and architects to provide feedback based on test failures, driving iterative design improvements

Prepare Certification Strategy

Build and develop strong relations with Airbus safety and airworthiness team as well as certification authorities to create a certification baseline for fuel cell technology

Initial Scoping: Identify relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and compliance requirements (e.g. DO-160, ASR, ABD100) early in the engineering phase.

Pre-Compliance Testing: Define and execute preliminary tests to identify potential certification roadblocks long before final homologation.

Documentation: Build the foundational certification documentation framework that will be required to transition the technology from TRL 3 to TRL 5 and beyond.

Work closely with the safety and homologation engineers as the initial point of contact for external testing houses and regulatory bodies to align on certification roadmaps for TRL5+.

Organization structure

The jobholder reports operationally and functionally to Head of Engineering.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Proven team leadership

Experience: 3+ years of hands-on professional background in Engineering, Testing, or Verification & Validation (V&V)

Proven experience working with early-to-mid-stage R&D projects and a solid understanding of demonstrating Technology Readiness Level (TRL) qualifications (up to TRL 6)

Experience bridging R&D with initial certification and compliance standards is highly desirable.

Software and Tools:

Proficiency with requirements management and tracking software (e.g., Siemens Polarion, IBM DOORS, Jira)

Ability to understand and interpret complex technical data, 3D-CAD models, electrical schematics, and simulation results (e.g., FEM, CFD)

Familiarity with test automation, data analysis, and data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW, Python scripting)

Google Workspace is a plus.

Mindset and Languages:

Must be pragmatic, strive for simplicity, capable of thriving in a multidisciplinary and multicultural setting, and possess a "Can-do attitude" with a strong drive for execution

Language Skills: Fluent proficiency in both English and German is required

What do we offer?

Challenging tasks for/with unique services and products

Pleasant working atmosphere in a professional and international work environment

Comprehensive on-boarding included

Extensive company training offers (eLearning and Classroom Trainings)

Flexible working hours

Compatibility of work and family life

Attractive remuneration

Company Pension Scheme

Employee stock options

Discounted car leasing

Good connections to public transport and local parking facilities

Catering facilities on site

Challenging tasks for/with unique services and products

Pleasant working atmosphere in a professional and international work environment

Flexible working between home and office is available

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.

Company:

Aerostack GmbH

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Chief Engineering & Architecture

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