Head of Mechanical and Systems Engineering (f/m/d)

Permanent employee, Full-time · München

Your mission

Did you know that one single container ship emits more CO2 than 65,000 cars?

At CargoKite we are keen on changing this by developing the sailing ship of the 21st century. We are a diverse team of visionaries, engineers, and environmental advocates united by a common goal: to develop cutting-edge solutions that propel the shipping industry into a more sustainable era.
Are you a visionary with a passion for combating climate change? Do you have a knack for turning groundbreaking ideas into tangible, sustainable hardware solutions? If so, we invite you to join our trailblazing team at CargoKite and shape the future of maritime transportation.

We are seeking a motivated and seasoned Head of Mechanical and Systems Engineering to join our dynamic team and spearhead the mechanical engineering work of our groundbreaking wind-powered ship class. In this role, you will collaborate with a dynamic group of engineers, naval architects, and researchers to develop cutting-edge control systems for our wind-powered ship class.

Role Description/Tasks

Lead the technological development of the core mechanical systems (kite system, ground station etc.)
Define suitable and reliable system requirements to drive the internal and external product development.
Mentor a team of mechanical engineers.
Coordinate internal and external multi-disciplinary project stakeholders (naval architecture, embedded, control engineering).
Supervise the building and installation process (temporarily) on site at the associated shipyard).
Drive strategic make-or-buy decisions.
Generate detailed work plans, schedules, and budgets for project activities and oversee execution process.
Work closely with our CTO, providing updates on technical progress, achievements, and any potential roadblocks.
Develop the design of selected components and participate in prototyping and testing activities.
Conduct engineering calculations, strength analyses and high-level simulations (with the SolidWorks toolbox) to optimize mechanical designs.
Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, including design specifications, CAD models, and engineering drawings.

Your profile

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture or related field.
7+ years of relevant professional experience, thereof 3+ years of experience of working in a shipyard.
Experience of working at sea on a merchant vessel with thorough understanding of common systems on board a vessels is a plus.
Work experience in a design office for commercial vessels is a plus.
Exceptional organizational talent with experience in systems and requirements engineering.
Network to and experience in working with maritime suppliers.
Experience in developing, designing, manufacturing and testing complex, reliable products from scratch.
Experience in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) is a plus.
Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on, results-oriented approach.
Motivated, independent and reliable way of working.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration in a young and dedicated team.
Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
Willingness to travel to perform hardware tests at different locations.
Kitesurfing, paragliding or sailing experience (including associated certificates: SBF/ SKS) is a plus.
Proficient German skills are a plus.
EU work permit (CargoKite does not provide any visa sponsorship for this role).

What we offer

Opportunity to join a deep-tech startup as an employee from the very beginning, and contribute to the strategic decision making of the company.
Outstanding opportunities for personal development through a great deal of creative freedom and a high degree of independence and impact on your team and the company.
Competitive compensation and equity options.
A collaborative and inclusive work environment in which we can rely on each other, and which values your contributions and ideas.
Chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of the shipping industry & our planet.
Health and wellness benefits (sports, public transport ticket etc.).
Flexible working hours with the possibility to work from home.

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About us

We are CargoKite, a Munich-based early-stage startup developing a new, wind-powered ship class for oversea transportation of freight. We are a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich and aim to decarbonize global shipping. With our high-tech sailing ship we help commercial shipping companies to reduce operating costs, cut emissions by 100% and enable a faster and more customizable shipping service. After recently closing our seed funding round with international top-tier investors from the US and Europe, we are now looking to grow our world-class crew!

At CargoKite, we believe that diversity and equal opportunity are key to success. Therefore, we create an inclusive environment for all employees and are open to diverse applications, regardless of age, skin color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other legally protected characteristics.

Do I need to meet all the requirements to apply?
Studies by several different sources have shown that, on average, men will apply for a job if they meet 60% of the application requirements. In contrast, women/non-binary people will seek to match a much higher percentage of the requirements before applying.

We encourage everyone to apply and give us a chance to evaluate your skills and experience. We are all learning on the job, and although the listing above has been carefully compiled, we are also open-minded and interested to hear about the value you can bring to the role and to us as a company.

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We are looking forward to receiving your application!

We appreciate your interest in CargoKite. Please fill in the following short form. Should you have any difficulties in uploading your files, please contact us by mail at recruiting@carogkite.com.