Head of Architecture & Test

Zero Avia is leading the transition to zero-emission aviation through the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for civil and defence aerospace applications. As the world's only Design Organization Approved business focused exclusively on hydrogen-electric aviation, we have achieved significant flight test and regulatory milestones with the UK CAA and FAA and secured more than 3,000 pre-orders from airlines, OEMs and defence customers globally.

Joining Zero Avia means being part of a team pioneering the future of aviation and delivering lasting impact for the planet and its people.

Due to continued growth across our engineering organisation, Zero Avia is looking to recruit a Head of Architecture & Test to lead the development, validation and certification of the systems that power our pioneering hydrogen-electric propulsion technologies. This is a strategic leadership role that combines deep technical expertise with people leadership, offering the opportunity to shape the architecture, safety and verification approach for systems that are transforming the future of flight.

As part of a world-class engineering team, you will be responsible for defining and governing system architecture, requirements engineering, safety methodologies, simulation strategies and testing activities across all levels of development. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, certification authorities and programme leaders, you will ensure our products are robust, certifiable and commercially viable while helping establish the engineering capabilities required to support Zero Avia's continued growth and regulatory milestones.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and development of system architecture, requirements engineering, safety activities, simulation strategies and verification approaches for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems.
• Establish, maintain and continuously improve architecture, safety and testing processes in line with Design Organisation requirements, regulatory standards and company objectives.
• Oversee testing and validation activities across component, subsystem and full system levels, ensuring robust and certifiable engineering solutions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, certification and programme teams to resolve complex technical challenges and support successful project delivery.
• Lead the Architecture & Test team, driving technical excellence, capability development, resource planning, training and career progression.

Key Requirements

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in a systems engineering, architecture, testing or technical leadership role within aerospace or another highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams responsible for system architecture, requirements management, safety engineering and verification activities.
• Strong understanding of aerospace development life cycles, certification environments and systems engineering best practices.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience developing engineering capability and high-performing technical teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working within Design Organisation Approval (DOA) environments and familiarity with Part 21J, Part 23, Part 25, Part 33 and/or Part 145 requirements.
• Knowledge of hydrogen, fuel cell, electric propulsion or other advanced aerospace technologies.
• Experience with Teamcenter PLM or similar engineering data and configuration management systems.

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