Aerostack Fuel Cell Stack Engineer for Unit Cell Development (d/f/m)

Job Description:

The position is within Aerostack GmbH, a Joint Venture between Airbus and an automotive company, part of the Airbus strategy to accelerate Reduced Emission Aircraft development and build competences and skills in the technology domain.

Fuel Cell Stack Engineer for Unit Cell Development (d/f/m)

The job holder will focus on Unit Cell development and delivery. As the Fuel Cell Unit Cell Engineer, you will be the technical lead for the development, requirements definition, and validation of the unit cell design (bipolar plate (BPP), seal, and interface to Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)) for aeronautical fuel cell stacks.

The job holder reports to the Head of Mechanical Design.

Your Location

Taufkirchen or Dettingen an der Ems

Key Responsibilities: Unit Cell Architecture & Development

• Lead the technical development, define requirements, and oversee validation for the unit cell design, ensuring suitability for industrial stack manufacturing processes.
• Act as the design team's focal point for all unit cell topics, including performance, operation, and degradation.
• Take ownership of unit cell design specifications and related documentation, ensuring requirement cascading to component levels (MEA, BPP, Seal) as needed.
• Drive cell technology readiness toward TRL 5 and beyond.

Project Coordination & Interface & Unit Cell Design Management

• Coordinate unit cell-related technical project tasks, managing interactions and interfaces between cell components.
• Synthesize all cell components (MEA, BPP, Seal, OpCons) into an integrated unit cell design that fulfills project and aeronautical requirements.
• Coordinate technical tasks related to the unit cell with Airbus stakeholders, external partners, and suppliers.

Validation, Testing, and Continuous Improvement

• Support the definition of the Design Validation Plan (DVP) and the cell component Verification & Validation (V&V) program, working closely with the DVP engineer.
• Assess test results and ensure that design iterations are implemented based on these outcomes.
• Secure adherence to the established stack development process and refine best-practice unit cell design principles.

Documentation and Standards

• Support the preparation and release process of stack and cell documentation within the design team (e.g., drawings, BoMs, build requests, build instructions, Factory Acceptance Tests).
• Examine and apply relevant aeronautical standards and processes.
• Coordinate all change management activities within the team pertaining to the cell design.
• Conduct patent and literature research and benchmark potential suppliers and cell components.

Required Skills

• Education: Master’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• While aerospace experience is a plus, we highly encourage experts from the automotive, maritime, or commercial fuel cell sectors who are eager to adapt to aerospace standards to apply.
• Professional Expertise (5+ years): Substantial professional background in fuel cell stack development, including design, development, and manufacturing of complex bipolar plates/unit cells.
• A strong, fundamental understanding of fuel cell operations (e.g., operating conditions, durability, manufacturability).
• Desired Technical Knowledge:
• In-depth knowledge of bipolar plate and unit cell design.
• Proven expertise of mechanics including tolerances concerning the bipolar plate, MEA, and unit cell.
• Expertise in thermal and fluid dynamics specifically related to BPP/unit cell.
• Expertise in bipolar plate manufacturing processes and associated quality control technologies.
• Proven comprehensive know-how of bipolar plate materials.
• Expertise in overall stack manufacturing processes and their direct impact on unit cell design.
• Experience with MEA interfaces.
• Software and Tools:
• Proficiency with 3D-CAD tools (e.g., Catia, 3DX) for bipolar unit cell component design.
• Ability to understand and interpret results from FEM and CFD simulations.
• Competence in programming (e.g., Python).
• Google Workspace is a plus.
• Mindset, Soft Skills (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.

NOTE: Self-Assessment

Please provide a self-assessment of your competence and experience (in years) for the following areas:

• Bipolarplate or unit cell design: x years of experience
• Bipolarplate or unit cell mechanical engineering: x years of experience
• Bipolarplate or unit cell sealing engineering: x years of experience
• Bipolarplate or unit cell thermal/fluid dynamics: x years of experience
• Bipolarplate or unit cell manufacturing: x years of experience
• Task and project coordination: x years of experience

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

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

Experience Level

Professional

Job Family

Chief Engineering & Architecture

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