Advanced Gear Design and Electrified Powertrain Systems (KTP Associate)

Newcastle University, in partnership with iNetic, is offering an exciting opportunity to support the expansion from electric motor manufacturing into complete electrified powertrain solutions for automotive, aerospace, and robotics applications.

The KTP Associate will lead the technical delivery of the project, working at the interface between Newcastle University and iNetic to embed advanced gear design and electrified drivetrain capability within the business. The role will involve developing, validating, and industrialising gear and transmission solutions for traction and motion applications, supporting the transition to a scalable, product based portfolio.

Key tasks will include the development of analytical and numerical models for gear systems, drivetrain optimisation for efficiency, durability, noise and manufacturability, and the application of these methods to real world product platforms. The Associate will support prototype design, testing, validation, and interpretation of results, working closely with the industrial partner’s engineers to translate research outputs into robust commercial solutions.

The role will also involve establishing repeatable design methodologies, tools, and documentation that can be embedded into industrial partner’s engineering processes, improving productivity, reducing development time, and enabling faster time to market. In parallel, the Associate will collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to support specification development, feasibility assessment, and technical decision making.

In addition, the Associate will contribute to project management activities including progress reporting, milestone reviews, and knowledge transfer sessions, ensuring that expertise developed through the project is retained within the industrial partner, beyond the lifetime of the KTP.

The KTP Associate will be supported by an interdisciplinary academic team from Newcastle University, with expertise in Computational Structural Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering.

The Associate will also be supported by a senior industrial supervisor with extensive experience in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in engine and powertrain technologies.

Candidates should have a Masters or PhD in Mechanical, Automotive, or Mechatronics Engineering.

Benefits

• Develop managerial skills and attend two residential managerial workshops (each of one-week duration)
• £6,000 personal development and training budget
• The opportunity to lead a project, develop project management skills and improve long-term career prospects
• Mentoring by a Knowledge Transfer Network Adviser
• Full access to university resources to complete the project
• Ability to work in a largely self-determined way, across the industry-academic partnership
• Opportunities to develop both technical understanding and commercial awareness
• The possibility of studying for a higher degree or undertaking professional development

The KTP Associate will be employed by Newcastle University and will spend most of their working time at iNetic’s premises in Andover, Hampshire, with additional time spent at Newcastle University as required by the project.

The KTP Associate will follow the industrial partner’s working hours and holiday procedure.

• Working hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm (30 minutes break); Friday 08:30am to 4:00pm
• The annual leave applicable to this role is 25 days plus bank holidays

Although the contract is fixed term for a duration of 3 years, more than 70% of KTP staff gain a permanent job offer by their KTP company.

For more information or informal enquiries, please contact Prof. Peter Gosling at peter.gosling@newcastle.ac.uk or Prof. Brian Shaw at brian.shaw@newcastle.ac.uk

To apply, please attach your CV and a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria for the position, as outlined in the Person Specification of the Job Description. Any requested additional documents required as part of your application, should be included within the same file as your cover letter. The total file size must not exceed 10MB.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development of advanced gear and drivetrain design methodologies for electrified traction, robotics and motion systems, aligned with the industrial partner product roadmaps
• Develop and apply analytical, numerical, and simulation based tools to optimise efficiency, durability, noise, and manufacturability of gear, joints and transmission systems
• Establish repeatable design processes, tools, and documentation to embed knowledge into the industrial partner’s engineering capability and improve development productivity
• Work closely with the industrial partner’s engineers, customers, and Newcastle University academics to co-develop specifications, assess feasibility, and support technical decision making
• Support the design and validation of robotic gearboxes and transmission systems, including architecture selection, optimisation of backlash and efficiency, bearing and lubrication design, tolerance analysis, and validation through prototype testing
• Support prototype build, test planning, data analysis, and interpretation of results, feeding learnings back into product and process improvement
• Contribute to project management activities including milestone planning, progress reporting, and risk management in line with KTP requirements
• Deliver structured knowledge transfer through workshops, training sessions, and technical documentation to ensure long term capability retention within the industrial partner

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in product development, testing, or industrial R&D (either academic or commercial) evidencing strong data analysis and problem-solving abilities
• Strong technical expertise in gear systems, mechanical power transmission, or drivetrain design with demonstrated proficiency in gear system design, CAD/CAE, FEA and simulation tools
• Ability to translate theoretical research into practical engineering solutions with experience of managing project delivery risks
• Strong CAD/CAE and test-driven development track record (3D CAD + detailed drawings/GD&T; FEA for gears/housings and structural stiffness; rig test planning and data analysis; iterative design improvements from test results).
• Experience translating research outputs into practical engineering or product development outcomes

Desirable

• Experience with electrified powertrains, traction systems, robotics or motion and automation applications
• Exposure to prototype development, testing, validation, or manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with design for manufacture and design for assembly principles
• Experience contributing to technical documentation, reports, or publications
• Interest in working at the interface between academia and industry, with a focus on commercial impact
• Experience with sustainable design and validation methodologies
• Exposure to innovation or automation in manufacturing environments

Attributes and Behaviour

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured and methodical approach showing ability to lead change, drive performance and deliver results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with both academic and industrial stakeholders
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to produce high quality technical documentation, reports, and presentations
• Proactive and self-driven, with the ability to manage priorities and deliver against milestones
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced industrial environment
• Strong attention to detail, quality, and engineering rigour
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to long term capability building within the industrial partner
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• The ability to work autonomously and the confidence to lead Is a natural problem solver

Qualifications/Experience

Candidates should have a Master’s or PhD in Mechanical, Automotive, or Mechatronics Engineering