Prototype Manufacturing Engineer / Specialist - Electrical Windings

About HPDrive Technologies

HPDrive Technologies is developing advanced cryogenic electrical\-machine technology for future aerospace propulsion. Formed through collaboration between GKN Aerospace and the University of Nottingham, HPDrive combines the agility and ownership of a small engineering company with access to significant industrial, electrical\-machine, cryogenic and propulsion expertise and facilities.

We are expanding our core engineering team as our technology moves into increasingly ambitious hardware manufacture, testing and demonstration programmes. People joining at this stage will have genuine influence over how the technology \- and the engineering capability around it \- is developed.

Role purpose

Develop and manufacture first\-of\-a\-kind electrical winding assemblies for HPDrive. You will help work out how novel coils should be made, create and improve the tooling and processes required, manufacture prototype hardware, and progressively turn experimental methods into robust, documented and repeatable manufacturing processes.

Key responsibilities

• Manufacture prototype electrical windings and coil assemblies.


• Work with specialised conductors, insulation systems, ceramics, supports and electrical terminations.


• Develop and improve winding methods, assembly sequences and manufacturing processes.


• Design, develop or modify jigs, fixtures and practical tooling for complex winding assemblies.


• Carry out precision assembly, conductor handling, positioning and termination work.


• Identify practical manufacturing problems and develop workable solutions.


• Inspect and measure components and finished assemblies for quality, dimensions and basic electrical integrity.


• Record manufacturing parameters, observations and lessons learned, and develop clear work instructions.


• Help establish and maintain HPDrive's prototype winding and manufacturing laboratory.


• Work with the engineering and test teams as manufactured components progress into cryogenic testing and complete machine assemblies.

We are looking first and foremost for practical capability, engineering judgement and the ability to take ownership in a small, hands\-on development team.

• Excellent hands\-on practical engineering or manufacturing ability.


• Experience manufacturing, assembling or working with precision engineered components.


• Strong manual dexterity and exceptional attention to detail.


• Ability to work from engineering drawings, sketches and technical instructions.


• Experience developing or adapting practical tooling, fixtures or manufacturing methods.


• Confidence solving manufacturing problems where a fully established process does not yet exist.


• A disciplined approach to quality, traceability and documentation.


• Ability to work carefully with delicate, specialised or high\-value components.


• An open, practical mindset and willingness to learn new materials and manufacturing techniques.

Experience in some of the following would be particularly valuable, but we do not expect candidates to have all of them:

• Electrical\-machine, superconducting or specialist magnet coil winding/manufacture.


• Litz wire or other specialist conductors, insulation systems and precision electrical terminations.


• Soldering, brazing or specialist joining techniques.


• Ceramic or brittle\-material handling; potting, impregnation or bonding processes.


• Prototype or low\-volume aerospace manufacture, precision assembly, scientific instrumentation or specialist electrical repair/rewind work.

We are deliberately open to candidates from different technical routes. You may be an experienced technician, apprentice\-trained, HNC/HND qualified, a manufacturing or mechanical engineer, an electrical\-machine winding specialist, a prototype engineer, a precision assembly specialist, or someone with equivalent practical experience developed through industry.

A university degree is not essential. Practical capability and relevant experience are at least as important as formal qualifications.

What matters most is your ability to make complex hardware carefully, understand why the process matters, solve practical problems and improve how the next component is manufactured.

Why join HPDrive?

• Take ownership of a critical manufacturing capability within a growing aerospace technology company.


• Work on first\-of\-a\-kind hardware rather than repetitive mass production.


• Help develop the tooling, methods and manufacturing know\-how behind advanced cryogenic electrical machines.


• Follow components from prototype manufacture into cryogenic testing and complete machine demonstrators.


• Work in a small, experienced engineering team where practical expertise is highly valued.


• Work alongside GKN Aerospace and the University of Nottingham and access significant electrical\-machine, manufacturing, cryogenic and propulsion expertise and facilities.


• Help turn experimental manufacturing methods into controlled processes that will underpin future HPDrive products.

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