University of Nottingham
Chief Engineer - Hybrid Propulsion Systems
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Area
Engineering
Location
Jubilee Campus
Salary
£59,966 to £85,394 per annum, depending on skills and experience. In addition, a market supplement of £8,300 per annum will be paid (pro-rata if applicable and subject to review every two years).
Closing Date
Friday 14 August 2026
Interview Date
To be confirmed
Reference
ENG1929126
About The Role
The University of Nottingham is seeking an outstanding engineering leader to take up the role of Chief Engineer – Hybrid Propulsion Systems.
This is a senior technical leadership role within one of the University’s major translational engineering capabilities. The post holder will provide engineering authority and delivery leadership for complex experimental and industrial programmes in hybrid propulsion systems, electrification and associated advanced engineering technologies.
The University has recently opened a new Hybrid Propulsion Systems building, a state-of-the-art facility supporting research, validation and demonstration in future propulsion and energy systems. The facility includes capability for cryogenic cooling, superconducting and hyperconducting electrical machines and drives, megawatt-class electrical systems, environmental testing and hybrid powertrain laboratories, including work with sustainable fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen.
Hybrid propulsion systems bring together the University’s strengths in electrification and propulsion to develop deployable solutions in close collaboration with industry. This sits alongside significant investment in electrical manufacturing capability, which is expected to work in close synergy with the role.
The role will suit an experienced engineer who can operate credibly from first principles through to system-level engineering decision making. You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, provide senior technical judgement during complex programme delivery, and ensure that engineering activities are delivered safely, credibly and on schedule.
Although the main focus of the role will be Hybrid Propulsion Systems, the post holder will also be expected to work flexibly across adjacent technical areas where required, supporting wider engineering delivery, facility utilisation and industrial programmes as the needs of the University and its partners evolve.
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Reporting to the Translation Centre Director, the Chief Engineer will work as part of the senior leadership team and will provide engineering insight to support programme planning, technical delivery, capability development and external engagement. The role will involve close working with academic and research colleagues, project teams, technical staff, operational colleagues and industrial partners to ensure that technical strategies are translated into credible engineering programmes, demonstrators and experimental outcomes.
What You Will Bring
We are looking for a senior engineer with substantial experience of leading complex engineering activity in an industrial, research, test, demonstrator or experimental environment.
You will bring deep engineering knowledge relevant to one or more of the following areas: hybrid propulsion systems, electrification, high-power electrical systems, thermal systems, cryogenic systems, propulsion systems, environmental testing, or a closely related discipline.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- senior engineering leadership through technical credibility, expertise and sound engineering judgement;
- experience delivering complex engineering projects or programmes involving system integration, commissioning, testing, validation or demonstrator development;
- the ability to make robust engineering judgements in technically complex environments where system behaviour may not be fully understood;
- strong understanding of experimental engineering, engineering assurance, safety and compliance requirements;
- the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders, industrial partners and technical colleagues;
- flexibility to support adjacent engineering areas and emerging programme needs where required.
A postgraduate degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent experience, is expected. Membership of a relevant professional engineering body, or the ability to demonstrate equivalent professional standing, would be advantageous.
What We Offer
This is an opportunity to take a senior engineering leadership role in a major University engineering capability, helping to shape and deliver high-impact programmes in hybrid propulsion, electrification and future energy systems.
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You will join an ambitious multidisciplinary environment, with access to major experimental facilities, advanced manufacturing capability, strong industrial partnerships and opportunities to influence the development of next-generation propulsion and electrification technologies.
What Next
Further information is available in the role profile. The recruitment team will add the role profile and advise candidates on the criteria-based application process.
To apply for this vacancy, please click Apply Now and complete your details.
Your working hours will be 36.25 hours per week. Due to the senior nature of the role, a flexible approach to working hours is required, and occasional additional hours may be necessary to meet operational needs and fulfil the responsibilities of the post. The University recognises the importance of work-life balance.
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Job Description/Role Profile
Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.
We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.
To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.
Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.
We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.
Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.
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