Subsystems Lead

About POWERTECH

POWERTECH is a center of excellence for propulsion technologies, specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of combustion engines, expendable turbojet engines, and turbofan engines for a wide range of aerospace, defence, and autonomous applications, including fixed- and rotary-wing UAVs and other advanced platforms.

Position Summary

The Subsystems Lead – Engine Controls & Electrification is responsible for the end-to-end technical leadership, coordination, and delivery of all electrically driven and electronically controlled subsystems across Powertech’s family of small turbojet and turbofan engines.

This role owns the architecture, development strategy, and make/buy decisions for engine control units (ECUs), control software, high-speed electric generators, power electronics, fuel pumps, and solenoid-based actuation systems. The position is central to ensuring subsystem maturity, reliability, certification readiness, and cost-effective industrialization from prototype through serial production.

Key Responsibilities

1. Subsystem Architecture & Technical Ownership

• Define and own the electrical and control subsystem architecture for micro-turbojet and turbofan engines.
• Establish functional, performance, environmental, and interface requirements for:
• Engine Control Units (hardware and firmware)
• Engine control software (closed-loop fuel, EGT, RPM, and protection logic)
• High-speed electric generators and associated power electronics
• Fuel pumps, solenoids, and electrically actuated valves
• Ensure subsystem designs are aligned with engine-level performance, safety, reliability, and integration targets.

2. ECU & Control Software Leadership

• Lead ECU hardware development, including:
• Processor and architecture selection
• Power conditioning and distribution
• Sensor and actuator interfaces
• EMI/EMC mitigation strategy
• Environmental robustness (thermal, vibration, humidity)
• Oversee engine control software development, including:
• Start logic and sequencing
• Acceleration and deceleration schedules
• Protection logic, fault detection, and safe shutdown strategies
• Support for calibration, testing, and data logging
• Ensure alignment with applicable aerospace, defense, and industrial standards.

3. Electrification & Actuation Systems

• Lead the development and integration of:
• High-speed electric generators and rectification/regulation electronics
• Electric or hybrid fuel pumps, solenoids, and driver electronics
• Define and manage performance envelopes for:
• Voltage, current, speed, efficiency, and thermal limits
• Ensure compatibility of electrical subsystems with engine start systems and ground support equipment.

4. Make / Buy Strategy & Supplier Management

• Develop and own make/buy decisions for all electrical and electronic subsystems.
• Lead technical evaluation, selection, and oversight of:
• External design houses
• Electronics manufacturers
• Component and subsystem suppliers
• Act as the technical authority for:
• Supplier Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Technical deliverables and reviews
• Ensure suppliers meet cost, schedule, performance, and quality expectations.

5. Intercompany & External Contract Management

• Manage technical scope and deliverables for:
• Intercompany development agreements
• External service providers and vendors
• Review and approve:
• Technical documentation
• Design reviews (PDR, CDR)
• Verification and validation plans
• Serve as the primary technical interface between Powertech Microjets and external partners for all electrical and control subsystems.

6. Integration, Test & Industrialization Support

• Support subsystem integration into engine test articles and production engines.
• Define and support:
• Subsystem-level test plans
• ECU and electrical system validation procedures
• Fault reproduction, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis
• Ensure designs are scalable to rate production, with clear paths for cost reduction and supply chain robustness.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Control Systems
• Aerospace Engineering (with strong electrical focus)
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in a gas turbine development environment, with exposure to:
• Engine control systems
• Electrification or actuation subsystems
• Embedded or safety-critical control hardware
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of:
• Embedded hardware and firmware development
• Closed-loop control systems
• EMI/EMC and harsh-environment electronics
• Experience in aerospace or defense programs is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Systems-level thinker with strong subsystem ownership mindset
• Confident decision-maker for architecture and make/buy trade-offs
• Strong technical coordination and supplier management capability
• Comfortable operating in TRL 3–7 development environments
• Clear communicator able to interface directly with senior technical leadership

Authority & Accountability

• Technical authority for all engine electrical and control subsystems within Microjets.
• Final recommendation authority on subsystem architecture and supplier selection.
• Accountable for subsystem technical readiness, integration success, and risk mitigation.

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