Head of Propulsion Battery System (all genders)

Your Mission: Join VÆRIDION on our journey to develop the world’s first electric nine-seater aircraft. As Head of Propulsion Battery System (PBS), you will lead VÆRIDION’s PBS department and hold overall technical accountability for the Microliner’s propulsion battery system. The propulsion battery system encompasses the battery cells and packs, the battery management system, high-voltage power distribution and protection, thermal management, charging, and all interfaces to the aircraft, the electric propulsion system and the ground infrastructure. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, you will lead a multidisciplinary organisation of around 20 engineers, and growing, spanning electrical systems architecture, airborne electronics, airborne software, cell technology, high-voltage electrical systems, mechanical design and integration, and thermal management. You will set the technical direction, build the organisation and its development processes, and take the propulsion battery system from concept through development, qualification and certification to production readiness. You will also own the intellectual property strategy for the propulsion battery system, represent VÆRIDION on technical matters towards authorities, industrial partners and funding bodies, and contribute your expertise to other key technologies of the Microliner. Your Day-to-Day: • Hold overall technical accountability for the propulsion battery system across its full lifecycle, from concept and architecture through development, validation & verification, qualification and certification to entry into service. • Define and maintain the propulsion battery system architecture together with the Electrical Systems Architect, ensuring that requirements are correctly allocated, interfaces are controlled, and trade-offs between safety, mass, energy, power, cost and certifiability are made deliberately and documented. • Lead, develop and scale the Energy Storage System department, comprising the Airborne Electronics, Airborne Software, Cell Technology, HV Electrical Systems, Mechanical Design & Integration and Thermal Management teams. • Recruit, coach and develop team leads and engineers, define clear roles and responsibilities, and align resourcing and hiring plans with the needs of the Microliner programme. • Take ownership of key technical decisions, chair design and gate reviews, and escalate programme-level technical risks to the CTO with clear options and recommendations. • Own the safety-driven design of the propulsion battery system, including thermal-runaway containment, high-voltage safety and fault tolerance, and work closely with Safety and Systems Engineering on FHA, PSSA, SSA and common-cause analyses. • Establish and maintain development processes in line with ARP4754A/B, ARP4761/ARP4761A, DO-254, DO-178C, DO-160G and DO-311A, ensuring traceability, configuration control and verification evidence appropriate to the allocated Design Assurance Levels. • Shape the certification approach for the propulsion battery system in cooperation with Certification and Airworthiness and represent the ESS team in technical discussions with EASA, including Stage of Involvement (SOI) and compliance reviews. • Own the integration of the propulsion battery system with the aircraft, the electric propulsion system and the charging and ground infrastructure, including the definition and control of all associated interface requirements. • Develop and execute the intellectual property strategy for the propulsion battery system: identify patentable innovations, lead invention disclosures and work with patent counsel on filings, freedom-to-operate assessments and prior-art reviews. • Own the PBS department budget, including planning, forecasting and cost control for personnel, hardware, test campaigns and external services. • Select and manage key technology suppliers and partners, including cell suppliers, electronics manufacturing partners and suppliers of materials and components, ensuring technical performance, quality and security of supply. • Define and oversee the propulsion battery system test strategy, from component and subsystem testing through system-level, environmental, abuse and certification testing, together with the required laboratory and test infrastructure. • Prepare the transition from development to series production together with Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain, applying design-for-manufacture, design-for-assembly and design-for-test principles. • Represent VÆRIDION on technology matters towards authorities, industrial partners, research institutions and funding bodies, and support the preparation and execution of publicly funded research and development projects. • Contribute technical expertise to other key technologies of the Microliner and the company’s long-term technology roadmap. • Foster an engineering culture defined by technical rigour, accountability, open communication and continuous improvement. Your Profile: • Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive, Electrochemistry or a related discipline. • 15 or more years of professional experience developing complex, safety-critical systems, including at least five years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams. • Proven experience developing high-voltage battery systems for aerospace or automotive applications, from concept through qualification and production. • Sound technical understanding of lithium-ion cell technology, battery management systems, high-voltage electrical systems, thermal management and the mechanical integration of battery packs, with the ability to make well-founded decisions across these disciplines. • Experience with thermal-runaway containment, high-voltage safety and functional safety concepts for battery systems. • Practical experience with aerospace development and certification standards, including ARP4754A/B, ARP4761/ARP4761A, DO-254, DO-178C, DO-160G and DO-311A, is strongly preferred. Familiarity with CS-23 certification is advantageous. • A track record of building and scaling engineering organisations, including recruitment, development of team leads and the introduction of structured development processes. • Experience with budget responsibility, supplier selection and the management of strategic technology partners. • Experience generating and protecting intellectual property, including invention disclosures and collaboration with patent counsel. • Experience representing technical programmes towards authorities, partners, funding bodies and other external stakeholders. • The ability to communicate complex technical matters clearly to engineers, executive management and external stakeholders. • A structured, decisive and hands-on leadership style, with the ability to perform in a fast-paced start-up environment. • Fluent English-language skills are essential; German-language skills are beneficial. We recognize that women and other under-represented groups are often overlooked in our industry. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Talent and potential can’t always be captured in a checklist. Why us? • Be part of an ambitious team determined to shape the future of aviation. • We are an in-office company, but we value flexibility and trust employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work or adjusting hours to accommodate personal commitments. • Subsidized EGYM Wellpass membership: your (mental) health is important for us. • Enjoy a subsidized lunch with a 5€ company contribution per meal on office days. • Become a part of our success with virtual stock options. • Choose the option that suits your needs: either a free charging station for your electric car or a public transport job ticket as part of the Deutschlandticket. • Lease a high-quality bicycle or e-bike through our JobRad program and benefit from tax advantages. Whether for your daily commute or personal use, enjoy more mobility and sustainability. • Pension scheme to support your long-term financial security. • Work in one of our offices in Munich or Delft. Enjoy the modern Balan Campus in Munich or work inside the aerospace ecosystem at TU Delft. • Boost your professional as well as personal growth executing your own ideas and independent projects. • Join our internal social events and retreats (e.g. cooking, game nights, sports). VÆRIDION was founded in 2021 to transform regional air travel with the Microliner, a 100% electric commercial aircraft. By delivering the most energy-efficient aircraft, we are building the future where clean, safe, and affordable electric aviation seamlessly connects people and businesses. We’re bringing together the brightest minds in aerospace, automotive engineering, and business to disrupt the aviation industry. Find more English Speaking Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow