Aircraft Development Engineer

Greenjets Limited; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering company in Milton Keynes is looking for an Aircraft Development Engineer to bring aircraft designs to life. The role involves building and assembling aircraft structures, integrating propulsion systems, and supporting flight tests. Ideal candidates will have a background in aerospace or mechanical engineering and enjoy hands-on work. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment with a strong focus on practical problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace engineering or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Strong practical skills including assembly, wiring, and mechanical fitting.
• CAD experience preferred with the ability to modify designs.

Responsibilities

• Build and assemble aircraft structures from designs.
• Integrate propulsion systems and avionics.
• Support ground testing and flight testing of prototypes.
• Identify integration issues and suggest improvements.

Skills

Assembly

Wiring

Mechanical fitting

Problem-solving

CAD interpretation

Education

Background in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Job description

About Us

Greenjets is an innovative engineering company developing high-performance propulsion systems for the aviation market. Our work spans research and development, engine production, aircraft systems, technical integration and flight testing. We are committed to delivering high-grade engineering and best-in-class propulsion for unmanned aircraft.

We do things differently. We move fast, we experiment and we adopt technologies that push beyond the current state of the art. Our aim is to go further, faster and more efficiently, while keeping costs competitive.

All our propulsion systems are designed, developed and manufactured in the UK. We focus on high quality, reliable and cost effective products supported by a robust, secure and ethical supply chain.

About the Job

The Aircraft Development Engineer is responsible for bringing aircraft designs to life. This role is about integration, build and iteration - taking designs from CAD and turning them into a fully functioning, flying prototype ready for testing.

You’ll work closely with Mechanical Design Engineers and Aircraft Design Engineers, assembling structures, installing propulsion systems, integrating avionics and solving the real-world problems that only appear once an aircraft exists physically.

This is a highly hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys building, modifying and flying hardware - whether from a formal aerospace background or the model aircraft / UAV world.

What You’ll Do

• Build and assemble aircraft structures and subsystems from detailed designs
• Integrate propulsion systems, avionics, control systems and payloads
• Support ground testing and flight testing of prototype aircraft
• Identify integration issues and feed practical improvements back into design
• Modify and iterate aircraft quickly based on test results
• Work closely with field operations during test campaigns
• Maintain build documentation and configuration control

Desirable Qualifications, Experience & Attributes

• Background in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or equivalent hands-on experience
• Strong practical skills — assembly, wiring, bonding, mechanical fitting
• CAD experience strongly preferred, with ability to interpret and modify designs
• Experience building or operating UAVs, model aircraft or experimental aircraft is highly valued
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment
• Problem-solver with a “make it work” mindset
• Willingness to get hands dirty and learn by doing