Lead Thermal Engineer - Heat Exchangers
📍Hybrid 💰 € 6.200 - € 7.300 🎯 Engineering
About BlueHeart Energy
BlueHeart Energy was founded in 2016 as a deep-tech company that has developed a new sustainable thermoacoustics technology to radically improve the performance of heat pumps, enabling them to evolve from being the best solution in the market to becoming the perfect solution. Our technology is a disruptive approach to generate heat and cold, with potential to revolutionize the whole industry.
With our so called 'Blue Heart' inside, heat pumps turn into affordable, silent and flexible devices, capable of working with wide temperature ranges suitable for both new and existing houses. Importantly, BlueHeart doesn’t require any refrigerants and doesn’t generate any CO2e emissions.
About the Role
We are looking for a Lead Thermal Engineer with strong heat exchanger expertise to take ownership of the design, development, and industrialization of our heat exchanger systems.
This role combines deep technical responsibility with end-to-end project leadership. You will drive projects from early concept and design through supplier engagement and validation, ensuring delivery on time, budget, and performance.
You act as the single point of accountability for heat exchanger programs, aligning internal teams, suppliers, and stakeholders.
What You’ll Do
Project Ownership (Primary Focus)
Lead heat exchanger development projects from concept → design → sourcing → validation → release
Define project scope, deliverables, milestones, and timelines
Plan and manage resources, budget, and risks
Drive cross-functional collaboration (R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, external partners)
Monitor progress and implement corrective actions when deviations occur
Ensure clear stakeholder communication and reporting
Technical Leadership – Heat Exchangers
Lead the design and optimization of heat exchangers and thermal subsystems
Review thermal calculations, CFD/FEA simulations, and performance analysis
Define and validate performance targets (efficiency, pressure drop, durability)
Guide testing campaigns and interpretation of results
Ensure designs are suitable for manufacturing and supplier capabilities
Supplier & Industrialization Management
Manage external suppliers and manufacturing partners
Drive design-for-manufacturing (DfM) and cost optimization
Oversee technical discussions, specification alignment, and sourcing decisions
Ensure quality and performance compliance of delivered components
Risk, Quality & Delivery
Identify technical and project risks, define mitigation strategies
Implement and follow quality planning and validation strategy
Ensure timely delivery of validated components and documentation
What We’re Looking For
Must-have
Mechanical Engineering / Thermal Engineering or similar background, with a minimum of 5 years of work experience; 8+ years preferred
Strong experience with heat exchanger design and thermal systems
Proven experience in project management (end-to-end delivery)
Experience working in complex engineering environments (automotive, heat pump, refrigeration, maritime preferred)
Hands-on experience on reviewing:
Thermal calculations and simulations (CFD/FEA)
Testing and validation methodologies
Strong ownership mindset and ability to drive decisions under uncertainty
Nice-to-have
Experience with supplier management and sourcing processes
Experience in high pressure equipments
Familiarity with industrialization / scale-up environment
Experience in clean-tech, HVAC, or heat pump systems
Experience with brazing/welding processes preferably in heat exchanger production.
What Success Looks Like
Projects delivered on time, on cost, and meeting performance targets
Strong alignment between design, testing, and supplier execution
Clear ownership and accountability of HX deliverables
Continuous improvement in performance and manufacturability
What We Offer
Salary range between € 6.200 - € 7.300 monthly gross depending on experience.
Opportunity to participate in the ESOP scheme, directly linked to company value creation and individual performance.
25 vacation days.
Hybrid work arrangement supporting autonomy and work–life balance.
Training opportunities to support in your personal and professional development with access to extensive training opportunities at your request.
Access to OpenUp, because we prioritize mental well-being.
Participation in our pension scheme with employer contribution.
Commuting allowance, in line with our travel policy.
A strategic role in a purpose-driven scale-up, contributing to a greener world and shaping the future of sustainable thermal technology. Learn more about our mission here.
- Departments
- Engineering
- Locations
- Heemskerk
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time