Senior Project Engineer in Experimental Hypersonics

University of Oxford - Department of Engineering Science - The Oxford Thermofluids Institute, Southwell Building, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

Location: Southwell Building, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

About the role

We are seeking a driven Senior Project Engineer to join the Oxford Hypersonics Group within the Department of Engineering Science. This is a full-time, fixed-term post for 24 months, based at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute.

You will lead the design and development of a new plasma wind tunnel facility forming part of the UK National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF). This continuous, high-pressure, high-enthalpy facility will utilise a 400-kW segmented arc-jet heater and will support a broad spectrum of aerospace research, from fundamental hypersonic flow physics to applied industrial testing.

The role includes responsibility for the overall design, implementation and commissioning of the facility and its sub-systems. You will lead the detailed design of major components including bespoke nozzles, probes and test configurations, drawing on your expertise in high-temperature gas dynamics and experimental ground testing. You will supervise a Graduate Engineer, coordinate external contractors and specialist consultants, manage laboratory safety implementation, and ensure delivery of the programme to agreed technical objectives, budget and timeline.

Once operational, you will oversee initial flow characterisation and data analysis, contribute to the implementation of advanced experimental techniques, and support experiments across Oxford’s hypersonic wind tunnel facilities. You will also provide technical leadership within the group, contribute to sponsor reporting and external briefings, and support the wider research ambitions of the Oxford Hypersonics Group.

In addition to the core facility development programme, you will have scope to pursue research activities, contribute to publications and funding proposals, and engage in collaborative projects within the UK and internationally.

About you

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil (or near completion) in aerospace engineering or a closely related discipline, together with strong experience in high-speed or high-enthalpy experimental facilities.

You should have a strong publication record and demonstrated expertise in hypersonic ground testing, high-temperature gas dynamics, and experimental design. You will have experience planning and managing substantial engineering/research projects, including budget oversight and milestone delivery, and confidence supervising junior engineers or researchers.

You will bring analytical/problem-solving skills, with the ability to design complex experimental systems and interpret high-quality measurement data. Strong communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce technical and sponsor reports, contribute to funding proposals, present research at conferences, and represent the group in technical briefings with stakeholders.

Experience leading a discrete area of a research programme, managing budgets, or supervising staff would be advantageous.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 01 May 2026.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Matthew McGilvray or Associate Professor Tobias Hermann: matthew.mcgilvray@eng.ox.ac.uk, tobias.hermann@eng.ox.ac.uk,

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of family friendly policies.