Hybridization and Powertrain Engineer (m/f/d)
NEX Aero GmbH HQ, NEX Aero GmbH Office
Full-time
Permanent employee
About the role
NEX Aero is looking for a Hybridization and Powertrain Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and test hybrid-electric propulsion systems for our next-generation heavy-duty UAV platform. You will take ownership of the hybrid powertrain from initial architecture through flight-ready deployment, with a focus on combustion-engine-based serial hybrid systems — range-extender (REX) architectures in which an internal combustion engine drives a generator to supply electrical power to the aircraft's electric propulsion system.
Your responsibilities
- Design and develop serial hybrid-electric powertrain architectures (range-extender configurations), combining combustion engines, generators, and power electronics
- Own hybrid powertrain functionality end to end, from concept and system architecture through flight-ready integration and deployment
- Define and validate combustion engine integration requirements for aerospace use, including thermal management, vibration isolation, fuel system, and exhaust management
- Model and simulate serial hybrid powertrain performance — fuel consumption, power management strategy, thermal behavior, and weight/energy trade-offs
- Specify and integrate generator sets, power electronics, and battery systems together with the electric propulsion system
- Support component- and system-level testing, including engine test cell, hardware-in-the-loop (HiL), ground and flight test campaigns
- Collaborate cross-functionally with propulsion, electrical, structures, and systems engineering teams to integrate the hybrid powertrain into the overall aircraft system
- Support certification activities and ensure compliance with relevant aviation and product standards
Your profile
- Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automotive, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Proven hands-on experience with combustion-engine-based hybrid powertrain systems — ideally serial hybrid / range-extender (REX) architectures — from the automotive or aviation industry
- Solid understanding of internal combustion engines, generator integration, and power electronics in a hybrid powertrain context
- Experience with powertrain simulation and modeling tools (e.g., GT-Power, Simulink, AVL Cruise, or similar)
- Familiarity with the thermal management, vibration, and integration challenges of combustion engines in weight- and space-constrained platforms
- Background in testing and validating hybrid powertrain systems (engine test cell, HiL, or flight test)
- Experience with aviation certification standards (e.g., CS-23/25, CS-E) is a plus
About us
Who We Are - NEX Aero
At NEX Aero, we are redefining how critical cargo moves across the world.We design, build, and operate next-generation heavy-duty drones capable of reaching places traditional logistics can’t, connecting remote communities, enabling urgent healthcare deliveries, and strengthening supply chains in a changing world.
Based in Munich, we are an ambitious team of engineers, operators, and innovators working hands-on at the intersection of aerospace, clean technology, and logistics. Our work moves beyond prototypes, it creates real-world impact where reliability, reach, and resilience matter most.
At NEX Aero, you won’t just build systems. You’ll help unlock access, progress, and opportunity for industries and communities worldwide.
Benefits — What You Can Expect
- Purpose-Driven Work: Join a mission that matters, advancing sustainable logistics and connecting the disconnected.
- Cutting-Edge Innovation: Work hands-on with next-generation drone systems, hydrogen technologies, and autonomous operations.
- Fast-Paced Learning: Grow faster through deep technical challenges, field missions, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Collaborative Culture: We value clear communication, radical ownership, and low-ego teamwork across every role and level.
- Professional Growth: Shape your role as we scale, with opportunities to lead projects, innovate solutions, and expand your expertise.
- Attractive Locations: Work from our modern office or our R&D lab, both close to the center of Munich, with flexible working options depending on your role.
- Health and Well-being: As a full-time employee, enjoy the benefits of a WELLPASS membership.
- Real-World Impact: See the results of your work directly, from successful flight tests to critical deliveries that move what matters most.
At NEX Aero, we are serious about the mission, and we enjoy the ride.