Performance Engineer

GT Wings Fareham, England, United Kingdom

GT Wings Fareham, England, United Kingdom

Direct message the job poster from GT Wings

At GT Wings, we’re putting wings on ships — literally. Our Air Wing is a groundbreaking wind propulsion system for commercial vessels that slashes fuel consumption, cuts emissions, and sets a new course for the future of maritime transport. With our first full-scale installation complete, multiple Innovate UK-backed projects in flight, and deep collaborations with leading universities, GT Wings is entering a new era of rapid innovation and scale-up.

We’re not just building a product — we’re building a movement.

Why this role matters

As a Performance Engineer, you’ll be the analytical engine powering our mission. You’ll own the models, methods, and data pipelines that define how our technology performs—from early-stage design through to open-sea validation. This is a high-impact role where hydrodynamics meets aerodynamics, simulation meets sea trial, and performance meets purpose. Your insights will shape product development, guide commercial decisions, and validate the environmental benefits of our technology.

You’ll help us answer the big questions:

• How can we develop the aerodynamic innovations for the next generation of Air Wing?
• How much fuel can we save across a global fleet?
• How do we integrate Air Wing performance into vessel design and routing?
• How do we prove value—credibly, transparently, and fast?

What you’ll do

• Build and refine performance models (e.g. VPPs, PPPs) to evaluate fuel savings, thrust, drag, and interaction effects
• Analyse data from CFD, wind tunnels, and sea trials — interpret results and validate performance predictions
• Collaborate closely with naval architects, CFD specialists, and engineering teams to improve designs and performance forecasts
• Define test plans and help coordinate performance assessments in the lab and at sea
• Translate performance insights into design feedback, commercial tools, and regulatory reports
• Support impact analysis for sustainability frameworks like EEDI, EEXI, and FuelEU

What we’re looking for (Must-haves)

• 3–5 years of experience in performance analysis, naval architecture, or simulation engineering
• Solid knowledge of aero-hydrodynamics, vessel resistance, and propulsion
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis and modelling
• Experience interpreting CFD results or working with experimental data
• Excellent communication skills—able to simplify complex ideas and present them clearly
• Background in naval architecture, vessel optimisation, or wind-assisted propulsion
• Familiarity with CFD tools (STAR-CCM+, ANSYS, OpenFOAM, etc.)
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks for fuel savings and emissions (EEDI, EEXI, etc.)
• Exposure to wind tunnel or tank testing, and data-driven validation approaches
• Experience working in an R&D or innovation-heavy environment

Education

• Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• Postgraduate or research experience a plus

Who you are

• A technical thinker who thrives on turning complex data into meaningful insight
• Comfortable working across disciplines—from hydrodynamics to programming
• Energised by solving first-of-a-kind problems with creative, rigorous approaches
• Passionate about sustainability, clean shipping, and making a real-world impact
• Excited to work in a fast-moving, purpose-driven team
• Help lead the next revolution in shipping—powered by the wind
• Be part of a team shaping a new design language for vessels in a zero-carbon world
• Work on exciting, visible projects backed by top shipowners, leading universities, and Innovate UK
• See your insights make a difference—in design rooms, on the docks, and out at sea
• Join the movement at its tipping point—the wings are flying, and the future is now

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Engineering and Information Technology

• Maritime Transportation