Vliegtuigingenieur voor startup

We are looking for a (m/f) Aerospace Engineer (or equal by experience) specialized in large composite structures design and manufacturing.

Created by a team of airship enthusiasts A2flight is a startup backed by one of the leading blimp manufacturers of North America and a Benelux based Venture Capitalist. Our mission is to design an airship with the highest space/volume ratio based on newly developed techniques. You?ll have the chance to work with a rapidly growing start-up in the very early stages and the excitement level is high.

We are looking for an Aerospace Engineer to design the new type of gondola for our airship A2. The airship is based on a traditional blimp (non rigid envelope), but the gondola is of a complete new design, mainly based on composites and will be the largest of it?s kind. The gondola will be manufactured in Germany and final assembly with the blimp will be in NA.

Knowledge of airships and blimp technology is an asset but not an necessity, knowledge of composite design, sandwich technology and foam composites is however essential.

Job description:

The job consists out of two major parts, clearly separated by the FAA approval date:

Before the FAA approval of the airship

- You will be the chief engineer for the design, construction and FAA approval of the new gondola.
- You will be the main contact person with the contracting companies, mainly based in Germany and Italy, from design trough production up to final assembly.
- A large part of your time you will spend in NA, coordinating the implementation of the gondola into the design of the airship.

After the FAA approval of the airship

- After the FAA approval (+/- 3 years) you will remain the main production engineer of the A2 gondola and continue to lead all improvement projects
- You will be one of the steering forces within the development team of the evolution two model.

The total development period of the new gondola until FAA approval is estimated at three years. During this period you will be about 1/3 of your time in North America, 1/3 travelling in WE an the rest of your time in our offices in Ghent, Belgium (or in your home office as preferred and depending on your home country / location). The time spend in NA, is for relatively longer periods (one to two months). Being free to travel is essential for this job.

We are looking for an engineer who is as exited about this new challenge as we are. A very good knowledge of English is essential, knowledge of other languages is a benefit (Dutch, German, Italian, ?).

Experience in the aircraft composite manufacturing industry is a bonus, however if you have no experience, or are even in your last year as aerospace engineer but you have new ideas how to create large light suspended structures, please don?t hesitate to apply for the position.

We are offering a fixed contract, starting first of September 2009, including a very interesting salary and group assurance ( including pension provision, life assurance & accident cover and medical insurance). Further you will be invited before to present your knowledge of composites and composite construction techniques for the approval of the business case.

If you?re looking for an interesting role and stimulating opportunities we invite you to send us your CV, which will be treated with the utmost privacy.

AirshipA2
Nederkouter 30
9000 Gent
Belgium

AirshipA2@yahoo.com

Contact person HR Allen Hofstede