Senior Prototyping Engineer (f/m/d) – Thermal Systems & Cooling Integration

As Senior Prototyping Engineer, you will lead the thermal management and cooling integration for the Reliant UAV platform. You will craft efficient cooling concepts for propulsion, power electronics, and avionics, and validate them through prototype test rigs and campaigns. You’ll collaborate across propulsion, mechanical, and systems teams to ensure reliable operation in demanding environments. This role offers the chance to shape thermal architecture and drive test-driven improvements in a high-performance, mission-critical system.

• Company pension scheme
• Flexible working hours
• Mobile working
• Bike-Leasing
• Corporate Benefits (discounts)
• Employee events

• Lead integration and development of thermal management and cooling systems for UAVs
• Design and optimize cooling for engines, generators, power electronics, and avionics
• Develop aerodynamic cooling solutions including airflow, ducting, heat exchangers, and both passive and active cooling
• Define thermal architectures balancing cooling performance, weight, packaging, reliability, and manufacturability
• Build and commission prototype cooling test rigs and instrumentation
• Plan and execute thermal, environmental, endurance, and performance test campaigns
• Analyze thermal performance and airflow distribution, implement improvements based on tests
• Collaborate with propulsion, mechanical, structures, and systems teams to optimize thermal integration
• Support simulations and correlate analytical models with test results
• Prepare technical documentation, verification reports, and engineering recommendations

• Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical, Automotive Engineering or related discipline
• 5+ years in thermal management or cooling systems in aerospace or related industries
• Hands-on experience with air-cooled systems, aerodynamic cooling, and airflow management for high-power systems
• Strong understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, cooling system design, and thermal testing
• Experience with heat exchangers, fans, ducting, air inlets, ventilation, and insulation
• Experience designing and executing engineering validation and prototype test campaigns
• Familiarity with CAD tools (CATIA preferred); CFD or thermal simulation experience advantageous
• Experience with thermal instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems
• Programming experience with Python, MATLAB or similar data analysis tools
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Fluent in English; German is a plus

• cross-functional collaboration
• analytical thinking
• problem-solving
• CATIA
• CFD/thermal simulation
• heat exchangers and cooling components