Principal Engineer, Computational R&D
Job Type
Location
The Mission
We are GaltTec. We are building the energy source that will unlock the true potential of the drone industry: a novel, high-performance microtubular fuel cell. We are a deep-tech hardware startup with a vision to change the world.
But hardware is hard. It is slow. It relies on supply chains that keep us waiting for materials to test a hypothesis that takes days to conceive.
We are changing that. And we want you to lead the revolution.
We are looking for a Principal Engineer, Computational R&D to serve as the Lead Architect of our full-scale digital transformation. We don’t just want a simulation engineer; we want a pioneer who will transition our R&D workflow from a “Make-and-Test” physical cycle to a “Model-and-Validate” digital engine in all aspects
The Opportunity
This is a greenfield opportunity to build a department from scratch. You will be the technical authority on computational engineering, acting as the right hand to our Head of R&D and a strategic partner to the CEO.
You will have the mandate to:
- Build the Digital Twins: Create the physics-based reality of our technology in the digital realm.
- Cut the Feedback Loop: Reduce iteration cycles from weeks (shipping/fabrication) to hours (compute time).
- Define the Future: Champion the adoption of AI and digital tools across the entire company, setting the stage for a future where we operate with the speed of software and the impact of hardware.
Note: This role is designed for a builder who aspires to executive leadership. Success in this role leads to a clear path toward high-level strategic ownership (think, VP of Digital Engineering).
Your Tasks
- Hands-On Engineering
- Dive Deep: You will personally select the toolchain (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys, Star-CCM+, Python) and build the initial multi-physics models for our fuel cells, covering electrochemistry, fluid dynamics (O2 / fuel flow), and thermal management.
- Validate: Work side-by-side with experimentalists to design targeted physical experiments that validate your models, creating a trust-based feedback loop between the lab and the server.
- Automate: Write the scripts and workflows that turn complex simulations into repeatable, accessible tools for the wider team.
- Strategic Architecture
- Transform the Process: You will audit our current R&D workflow and ruthlessly identify where digital tools can replace physical labor. You will own the “Digital Roadmap.”
- Build the Team: You will immediately mentor our existing Simulation Engineer and lead the hiring for 2-3 new digital engineers to build out your unit.
- Evangelize: You will be the internal champion for digitalization. Whether it’s using Generative AI for supply chain sourcing or CFD for thermal analysis, you will show the company how to move faster.
Your Qualifications
- A Physicist/Engineer by training, a Hacker by nature. You have an advanced degree (PhD preferred) in ME, ChemE, Physics, or Materials Science. You understand the governing equations of mass transport and kinetics, but you also know how to code (Python/Matlab) to make them work for you.
- An Expert Modeler. You have 5+ years of deep experience in multi-physics simulation. You have solved complex, coupled problems in industry.
- A “Systems Thinker.” You don’t just solve the problem in front of you; you build a system so the problem never has to be solved manually again.
- Frustrated by Slowness. You have likely worked in hardware/deep tech before and felt the pain of waiting for parts. You have a burning desire to fix that inefficiency at every level.
- A Teacher. You can explain complex computational concepts to experimental chemists and engineers without condescension. You know that a model is useless if the team doesn’t trust it.
Why Join
- Impact: You aren’t optimizing a button on a website. You are building the power source for the future of mobility.
- Autonomy: You own the “How.” We define the destination; you build the digital vehicle to get us there.
- Growth: You will be joining at a pivotal moment. As we scale, your team and your responsibilities will scale with us.
- Culture: We are a flat, fast-moving team that values intellectual honesty and “elbow grease.” We reward results, not tenure. We own all problems and aspire to be part of the solution.
About GalTec
GaltTec is at the forefront of fuel cell technology innovation, developing lightweight, sustainable and highly efficient energy solutions to meet the growing global demand. Our advanced fuel cell technology outstandingly extends the operational endurance of drones, IoT devices, and other portable systems—redefining what’s possible in industries that depend on reliable, long-lasting power. As the first Estonian startup selected for the NATO DIANA accelerator, GaltTec is proud to contribute to the advancement of deep-tech solutions that support defense and critical infrastructure.
How To Apply
Don’t just send a CV. Tell us about a time you used simulation or digital tools to solve a hardware problem faster than the “standard” process allowed. We want to hear how you think. Get us excited.
Submit all documents to info@galttec.com
GaltTec extends UAV endurance with next-generation fuel cell systems — maximizing flight time, minimizing downtime, and advancing the future of aerial energy.