eDrive Engineer (all gender)

At Ascendance we are building tomorrow’s hybrid-electric aviation with ATEA, a unique Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft powered by STERNA, our in-house hybrid-electric propulsion system. We focus our efforts in designing an innovative, safe, silent, clean and affordable aircraft that will be able to blend into existing infrastructures and regulations to ease its deployment and maximise social acceptance.

If you are looking for a place where you will have a direct impact on very ambitious products, where you will work close to the hardware and where you can witness the result of your hard work quickly, board ATEA and come fly with us toward the future of aviation!

Your role : 🔎

We are seeking an eDrive Engineer to manage the specification, evaluation, integration, and testing of the eDrive subsystem, a core component of the STERNA powertrain.

In this position, you will take ownership of selecting and testing third-party electrical machines (motors and generators) and power electronics (inverters and motor controllers). You will integrate these components with Ascendance’s in-house high-voltage distribution and energy management architectures to deliver complete STERNA propulsion systems for external defence and civil aircraft customers. Additionally, you will implement and validate these eDrive configurations on our internal ATEA aircraft program.

Your main responsibilities will be : 
1. STERNA Hybrid Powertrain & Third-Party Integration

• eDrive Component Selection & Specification: Evaluate, select, and draft technical specifications for third-party electrical machines (motors, generators) and power electronics (inverters, motor controllers) to meet STERNA powertrain requirements.

• Powertrain Integration: Integrate third-party eDrive components with Ascendance's in-house battery systems, HV distribution units, and energy management architectures.

• Third-Party & Supplier Interface: Work directly with motor and inverter manufacturers to align technical capabilities, and collaborate with aerospace clients to ensure custom powertrain integration fits their operational profiles.

• Defence System Tailoring: Adapt eDrive component selection and integration strategies to satisfy defence requirements (e.g., MIL-STD compliance, EMI/EMC shielding, thermal robustness, and high reliability in harsh operational environments).

2. ATEA Platform Integration

• Internal Aircraft Implementation: Transfer and integrate validated STERNA eDrive subsystems directly onto the internal ATEA VTOL aircraft.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with systems engineering, flight dynamics, and battery teams to align internal ATEA flight test results with external STERNA commercial deliveries.

3. Testing, Benchmarking & Validation

• Component & Powertrain Testing: Design and execute testing protocols—utilizing testbenches, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems, and iron birds—to benchmark and validate third-party eDrive hardware performance prior to final powertrain delivery.

• Verification & Certification Support: Ensure the integrated eDrive subsystem complies with relevant civil and defence aerospace standards (e.g., DO-160 environmental conditions and DO-254 for airborne hardware).

Where do we stand? 

Founded on Ascendance's strong values, the whole team is involved in creating both innovative products to decarbonize aviation and an accurate company structure to support its fast development.

Full scale testbenches are ongoing while full scale aircraft development is running at full speed.

Sky's our limit, we are looking forward to the flight test campaign !

The job has been made for you if you: 🛠

• Have a Master's Degree or Engineering Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering.

• Technical Expertise: Experience in the specification, selection, testing, and integration of high-voltage power electronics (inverters/motor controllers) and electrical machines (motors/generators).

• High-Voltage Powertrains: Strong understanding of high-voltage distribution architectures, energy management system interfacing, and overall hybrid powertrain dynamics.

• Defence & Aerospace Background: Demonstrated experience integrating electrical subsystems under demanding defence or aerospace constraints (harsh environments, high power density, EMI/EMC, MIL-STD/DO-160 standards).

• Testing Skills: Proficiency in powertrain testbench operations, data acquisition, and hardware validation methodologies.

• Languages: Fluency in English (professional proficiency) is required; French is a strong plus.

We are meant to work together if you: 💚

• You are willing to contribute to the development of the company 

• You want to impact the future of aviation and lead the transition

• You want to face complex but thrilling challenges

• You like to work in a dynamic environment 

• You are a real team player who wants to build a big success story with us

• You are curious and eager to learn.

What we offer: 

• Career booster: versatility, training opportunities, internal mobility

• Health insurance

• Restaurant tickets

• Holiday pay bonus

• Public transportation allowance

• Teleworking policy

• A flexible working environment

• Company events.

Recruitment process:🕐 

• Application evaluations (CVs….)

• Talent Interview

• Technical Interview

• Meet others Ascenders 

• Reference check.

Non-discrimination and diversity are our priorities. AFT is open to hire personalities with their own differences.