Senior Materials Engineer (all genders)
VÆRIDION · Munich HQ · onsite
Your Mission:
As Senior Materials Engineer (all genders) you will lead material selection for the propulsion battery system of VÆRIDION's CS-23 all-electric aircraft. You will identify the best material for each application, from composites and metals to adhesives, gaskets, and insulation materials, and own the material requirements and evidence that support each choice. Through trade studies, characterization, and close supplier engagement, you will make sure that every material in the propulsion battery system performs safely in normal operation, under abuse, and during thermal runaway.
Within the Mechanical Design & Integration team, you will work closely with Mechanical Design and Materials & Processes, and support the Thermal Systems, HV Electrical Systems, Airborne Electronics, and Cell Technology teams wherever material choices matter, including thermal adhesives, electrical bonding, and insulation. As development matures, you will hand over qualification and process ownership to Materials & Processes while remaining the technical authority on material behaviour. Your work will directly contribute to the propulsion battery system that underpins VÆRIDION's mission to bring electric flight to regional aviation.
Your Day-to-Day:
- Lead material selection for the propulsion battery system, including composites, metals, adhesives, gaskets, seals, potting compounds, and thermal and electrical insulation materials.
- Lead structured material trade studies that balance mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, weight, cost, and supply chain considerations.
- Own material requirements for normal operation, abuse, and failure cases, including thermal runaway, fire, venting, crash, vibration, humidity, and fluid exposure.
- Evaluate high-temperature and fire protection materials, such as phenolic and high-char-yield composites, silicone systems, ceramics, and intumescent materials, for thermal runaway containment.
- Provide material property data and guidance on material-driven design features to the Mechanical Design team.
- Support material choices for thermal adhesives, gap fillers, electrical bonding, and insulation together with the Thermal Systems, HV Electrical Systems, and Airborne Electronics teams.
- Draft test requests (TRQs) for material characterization and work with the test team and suppliers to execute them.
- Analyse test data and derive design-relevant material properties and conclusions.
- Own technical relationships with material suppliers, including requirements alignment, data requests, and the evaluation of new material candidates.
- Define material specifications and approved-material definitions together with Materials & Processes.
- Contribute to material qualification and certification substantiation, transferring ownership to Materials & Processes as development matures.
- Assess material compatibility and durability over the service life, including chemical compatibility with coolants and electrolytes, galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials, moisture uptake, outgassing, and property retention after thermal cycling and accelerated aging, as well as resistance to thermal runaway vent gases and ejecta, working with the Materials & Processes Engineer where processing such as cure state or surface preparation affects the result.
- Lead failure investigations and root cause analyses where material behaviour is a contributor.
- Consider regulatory constraints such as REACH and RoHS in material selection.
- Act as the technical authority on materials in design reviews and technical discussions with suppliers and partners.
- Mentor engineers and build materials expertise across the Technology division.
Your Profile:
- Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science & Engineering.
- 5+ years of experience in materials engineering, preferably in aerospace, battery systems, or other safety-critical industries.
- Deep understanding of structure-property-processing relationships in polymers, composites, metals, and ceramics.
- Proven ability to select the best material for a given application, based on data and first principles.
- Experience with material characterization methods such as mechanical testing, DSC, TGA, DMA, cone calorimetry, and microscopy.
- Experience planning tests, interpreting results, and correlating them with design requirements.
- Strong knowledge of thermoset and thermoplastic composites, adhesives, and elastomers.
- Knowledge of high-temperature material performance and fire, smoke, and toxicity behaviour is desirable.
- Experience leading technical work with material suppliers.
- Familiarity with CS-23, DO-160, DO-311A, and CMH-17 is beneficial.
- Working proficiency with 3D CAD, such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or Siemens NX, is beneficial.
- Strong problem-solving skills, technical curiosity, and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. German is a plus.
- Passionate about aviation and the electrification of flight.
We recognize that women and other under-represented groups are often overlooked in our industry. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Talent and potential can’t always be captured in a checklist.
Why us?
- Be part of an ambitious team determined to shape the future of aviation.
- We are an in-office company, but we value flexibility and trust employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work or adjusting hours to accommodate personal commitments.
- Subsidized EGYM Wellpass membership: your (mental) health is important for us.
- Enjoy a subsidized lunch with a 5€ company contribution per meal on office days.
- Become a part of our success with virtual stock options.
- Choose the option that suits your needs: either a free charging station for your electric car or a public transport job ticket as part of the Deutschlandticket.
- Lease a high-quality bicycle or e-bike through our JobRad program and benefit from tax advantages. Whether for your daily commute or personal use, enjoy more mobility and sustainability.
- Pension scheme to support your long-term financial security.
- Work in one of our offices in Munich or Delft. Enjoy the modern Balan Campus in Munich or work inside the aerospace ecosystem at TU Delft.
- Boost your professional as well as personal growth executing your own ideas and independent projects.
- Join our internal social events and retreats (e.g. cooking, game nights, sports).
VÆRIDION was founded in 2021 to transform regional air travel with the Microliner, a 100% electric commercial aircraft. By delivering the most energy-efficient aircraft, we are building the future where clean, safe, and affordable electric aviation seamlessly connects people and businesses. We’re bringing together the brightest minds in aerospace, automotive engineering, and business to disrupt the aviation industry.