Company overview
The Aerospace Technology Institute sits at the centre of UK aerospace research and technology. It is responsible for the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy and development of a national R&T investment presently worth over £4 billion through to 2031. It is a truly game-changing initiative, whose objective is to reduce aviation’s environmental impact through providing thought leadership on all aspects on the future of flight and through funding research projects that secure jobs, maintain skills and deliver economic benefits across the UK.
The importance of aerospace to the UK cannot be overstated. The UK is Europe’s number one aerospace manufacturer, second globally only to the United States. The industry is a major driver of economic prosperity through leading edge technology, high-wage jobs and high-value exports. The industry is resilient and growing at over 4.5% each year. These reasons are the basis for government investment and a coordinated effort to position the UK for success.
A small and young company charged with a big responsibility, the ATI encourages free thinking and innovation. We need individuals with drive, passion, ability to adapt and work flexibly, and who share our ambitions for the sector and UK. Our team is collaborative, open, respectful, positive and supportive.
Mission statement
Transforming aerospace through technology and innovation.
Diversity & inclusion
We are experts in our field, trusted to be impartial in our activities, and present a fair and independent view. We are passionate about innovation and technology and understand the rewards of bringing together a diverse and forward-thinking team to explore, enhance and shape our aerospace agenda. We are committed to equality in everything we do. We are proud to lead by example, demonstrating independent leadership and collaborating for success in all aspects of our work.
The opportunity
Position Title: HCN Technical Lead
Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (to end March 2025)
Location: London (hybrid working)
Travel: As required
Reporting to: Programme Director – HCN
The Hydrogen Capability Network programme
The Technical Lead will join the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) team, which is at the heart of the ATI’s efforts to decarbonise flight. Phase 1 of the HCN is a 12-month project which runs from April 2024 to March 2025. Phase 1 follows a successful Phase 0 project and will continue to develop the objectives of the HCN and will focus on the following objectives:
- Developing a long-term strategy and business case for the future of the HCN, including future operating and funding models.
- Mobilisation and delivery of a two-year capital infrastructure programme to develop a medium scale liquid hydrogen test hub.
- Mobilisation and delivery of a four-year strategic research programme on Cryogenic Hydrogen Materials Testing Standards (CHyMES) for future aircraft design.
- Securing funding and delivery of a skills pilots for liquid hydrogen in aerospace. To lead to a future skills strategy and programme.
- Developing a strategy for enabling the next 10 years of liquid hydrogen test and demonstration to make future hydrogen aircraft a reality.
- Working in collaboration with industry and academia to scope strategic research projects and a challenge led approach to future research.
- Engagement and collaboration across the entire aerospace sector on this emerging capability to gain insights, gather requirements and disseminate knowledge and develop strategic partnerships.
Phase 1 of the programme will run from April 2024 to March 2025, during which the HCN will submit a proposal into government to secure long-term funding for the sector for LH2.
The key outputs from Phase 1 include:
- Development of a business Case for subsequent phases of the HCN
- Developing a strategy for next phase of test infrastructure
- The design of a LH2 research programme
- The design of a sector skills programme
- Securing LH2 supply for test hubs and materials test programme
- Continued sector engagement and collaboration
The role
The HCN Technical Lead will work as part of the HCN leadership team to deliver the objectives of Phase 1. The role of Technical Lead is to ensure that the HCN stays at the forefront of the developments in the hydrogen aerospace sector, particularly focused on low TRL cryogenics research. This role will work closely with the Head of Commercial & Strategy and Head of Skills & Research by bringing critical hydrogen technical knowledge to their work alongside broader perspectives of aerospace technology.
This role is to lead the technical strategy and delivery of the HCN and achieve the following objectives:
- Position the HCN as a leader the Global Cryogenics community and lead the strategy to build UK capability in this area
- Build proposals for Future Strategic Research Projects
- Oversee the delivery of the Materials Strategic Research Project in conjunction with strategic delivery partners
Responsibilities will include:
- Scoping and developing proposals for future strategic research projects in collaboration with the Head of Skills & Research.
- Directing the technical content and output of external workpackages across a number of academic and research institutions.
- Managing the technical delivery of the Cryogenic Hydrogen Materials Testing Standards (CHyMES) strategic research project in conjunction with delivery partner.
- Maintain relationships with key technical leads across a number of leading aerospace companies to steer HCN delivery projects and shape future research projects.
- Producing the HCN technical strategy alongside Head of Commercial & Strategy and the ATI technology team.
- Analysing the state-of-the-art technical developments across the key HCN research themes. Updating the FlyZero key research findings and recommendations for the UK sector to advance or differentiate against global competition.
- Representing the HCN in the international technical cryogenics community building collaborative relationships for skills and research.
The candidate
The candidate will be passionate about the decarbonisation of flight and driving change within the aerospace sector. They will have in-depth knowledge around the development of liquid hydrogen technologies, understanding both the opportunities and challenges faced.
Background and experience
- Postgraduate level qualification in engineering / applied science with a focus on liquid hydrogen aerospace technologies.
- Experience/ knowledge of cryogenics (systems and fundamental science).
- Preferably direct experience of materials test method development with gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, and liquid nitrogen.
- Experience in building research proposals.
- Understanding of UK aerospace sector and research landscape.
Skills and knowledge
Technical knowledge
- Knowledge of liquid hydrogen aerospace systems
- Knowledge of fundamental science in cryogenics
- Knowledge of aerospace materials testing requirements, standards and certification for both metallics and non-metallic materials
Strategic analysis
- Experience in landscaping / mapping technical developments across both academic and industrial research
- A track record in developing strategies based on positioning in the external landscape
- Experience of programme definition through bringing together stakeholders (Systems engineering)
External relations
- Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholder across the academic, industrial, scientific and governmental communities demonstrating gravitas
- Experience of building and maintaining networks of experts in the field at all levels both nationally and internationally
- A track record of working with OEMs
- Awareness of government funding landscape for research
Communication
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to influence
- Ability to communicate of both strategic and technical ideas to both audiences with in-depth and more limited understanding of the field
- Capable of delivering impactful presentation and other external communications
Organisational and personal skills
- Strong project management skills including programming, budgeting and monitoring with a pragmatic approach to ensure effective delivery (time, cost, quality)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
As an individual
- Self-starter with great energy and drive to deliver
- Strong communicator who comes across with conviction and credibility and is able to engage at various levels
- Ability to translate complex technical topics into concise messages for external stakeholders
- Natural collaborator with strong work ethic and team spirit with the ability to take the leadership, strategic and implementation aspects of the role in their stride
- Comfortable working in ambiguous situations, energetic and flexible to pick up and lead work in areas on the periphery of their core responsibilities to “get the job done”
ATI benefits
- Competitive salary
- Attractive pension scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Life Assurance
- Professional development training
- Paid membership to one professional body per year
- Hybrid working, including core hours
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas leave
- Company Maternity & Paternity Pay
- 30 days Company Sick Pay
Assignment process and timeline
Short-listed applicants will go through a two-stage interview process with the ATI.
Applications should be made by submitting a CV and covering letter by 1st May 2024. Please submit your application on our recruitment partner’s site here.