At ZeroAvia, we're pioneering the transition to zero-emission aviation. As a leader in clean aviation technology, we are seeking an experienced Head of Hydrogen Systems to lead the strategy, development, certification and industrialisation of hydrogen fuel cells, aircraft fuel systems, and hydrogen infrastructure that will help transform the future of flight.
This senior leadership role will provide technical and organisational leadership across hydrogen systems engineering, encompassing gaseous and cryogenic hydrogen technologies, controls, safety, integration and certification. The successful candidate will drive technology roadmaps, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, and ensure the delivery of safe, compliant and commercially viable hydrogen solutions across multiple aerospace programmes.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, validation, certification and delivery of hydrogen fuel cell systems, aircraft hydrogen fuel systems, and ground-based hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure.
- Define and execute technical strategies, system architectures and technology roadmaps for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across multiple programmes.
- Provide technical governance and oversight across systems engineering, controls, safety, integration, verification and validation activities.
- Build, lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary engineering teams, including workforce planning, capability development and succession planning.
- Manage programme delivery through effective control of resources, budgets, schedules, technical risks and stakeholder expectations.
- Drive certification readiness and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to engineering standards, DOA requirements and aerospace safety practices.
Role Requirements
- Degree-qualified in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; Chartered Engineer status and/or a Master's degree desirable.
- Significant engineering leadership experience within aerospace or another highly regulated industry, leading complex system development programmes.
- Strong expertise in hydrogen technologies, including gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution; experience with fuel cell integration and hydrogen infrastructure is advantageous.
- Proven experience with cryogenic systems, safety management and, ideally, liquid hydrogen storage, transfer and conditioning technologies.
- Deep understanding of systems engineering, system integration, requirements management, verification and validation within safety-critical environments.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing technical, executive, regulatory and external partners.
Benefits
Why Join Us?
We want to help you be your best self, at work and at home, that’s why we provide our employees with…
- Private health and dental care – get access to services and support when you need them. Add your family members too.
- Mental health support – enjoy a culture where positive mental health is front of mind with our trained Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support.
- Free lunch and healthy snacks – keeping you fuelled up so you can help us deliver the technology of the future**
- Sports, games and culture clubs – connect and keep fit with other ZeroAvians by joining one of our clubs – such as, running, cycling, padel, trivia, theatre and gardening.
We also offer:
- Stock options – so you can share in our success.
- 25 days holiday, plus public holidays and additional days awarded for long service – to help you manage your work-life balance.
- Free EV Charging and membership in our EV Club.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes for EV Club, Curry's Tech and Cycle to Work
- Weekly Spot Bonuses to reward excellence.
- Income Protection and Legal Support for peace of mind.
- Relocation Support to make your move seamless.
Diversity and Inclusion
As an emergent company shaping the aviation industry, we know that diversity fuels success and unlocks potential. We embrace being an equal-opportunity employer and actively seek individuals from diverse backgrounds. We value the multitude of skills, perspectives, and mindsets everyone can bring to the table. These experiences ignite creativity, originality, and growth. We proudly reject discrimination in all forms, including that based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Skills Required
- Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or related discipline
- Chartered Engineer status and/or Master’s degree
- Significant engineering leadership experience in aerospace or other highly regulated industry, leading complex systems programmes
- Strong expertise in hydrogen technologies including gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution
- Experience with fuel cell integration and hydrogen infrastructure
- Proven experience with cryogenic systems, safety management and ideally liquid hydrogen storage, transfer and conditioning
- Deep understanding of systems engineering, system integration, requirements management, verification and validation in safety-critical environments
- Experience driving certification readiness, meeting DOA requirements and aerospace regulatory compliance
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
What We Do
ZeroAvia's mission is a hydrogen-electric, zero-emission powertrain in every aircraft. From 19-seat regional trips to over 100-seat long-distance flights, ZeroAvia enables scalable, sustainable aviation by replacing conventional engines with hydrogen-electric powertrains. We are a team of passionate innovators dedicated to bringing safe, zero-emission flight to aviation, with locations in Kemble and London in the UK, and Hollister, California.
