Queen's University Belfast
CFD Mechanical Engineer - KTP Associate - Crossland Tankers Ltd

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About the job
Through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Programme, Crossland Tankers Limited in partnership with Queen's University Belfast have an exciting employment opportunity for a dynamic Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering graduate to work on a project to develop advanced multiphysics modelling and artificial intelligence tools to optimise the aerodynamics and vacuum pump efficiency of road tankers. The project will deliver lower fuel consumption and reduced power take-off demand, creating more sustainable and cost-effective vacuum tankers for UK and European operators.
This role is company-based and will be delivered in collaboration with School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's.
The successful candidate will become part of a team within Crossland Tankers. Crossland Tankers Ltd is a leading specialist road tanker manufacturer in the UK and Ireland. The company generates revenue through the design, manufacture, repair, and servicing of high-quality specialist tankers for bulk liquid transport. Its two manufacturing sites, Swatragh (Northern Ireland) and Burnley (Lancashire), produce approximately 250 tankers per year. Today, the company employs over 130 people across these two manufacturing sites at Swatragh and Burnley and are one of the leading tanker manufacturers in the UK and Ireland.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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The core business activities focus on vacuum tankers (waste, sludge, and effluent), milk tankers, ADR chemical tankers, potable water tankers, and bitumen tankers. These products are supplied to haulage operators across the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, and the Middle East.
Information about the company partner can be found at: https://crosslandtankers.com/.
Please note that Queen's reserves the right to close the advert early once 80 applications have been received.
About the person
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:
- Hold at least a 2.1 Honours Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Where candidates hold an international degree, the equivalence of this to a UK classification (i.e. 1st class, 2.1, 2.2 etc, must be clear in your application.
- Demonstrable relevant experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with strong preference for OpenFoam*
- Demonstrable relevant experience in Python programming for simulation automation and data analysis*
- Completion of a relevant research project or student placement
- Demonstrable strong skills in CAD modelling and design


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* May be demonstrated through the completion of a module, student project or placement.
Applicants must adequately evidence how they have gained relevant experience/knowledge/skills in detail, using examples and dates where appropriate to demonstrate how their experience can be applied to meet these requirements. It is not sufficient to simply list duties/skills/modules/assignment titles as evidence.
Please note the above are not an exhaustive list.
A KTP role is the perfect launchpad for your career providing the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge and skills to deliver a strategic innovation project within a company. One of the unique benefits to KTP is access to a substantial development budget and the support and guidance of Queen's world-class academics and researchers. This role offers an excellent opportunity to work closely between academia and industry whilst developing your skills to run and manage projects.
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