Senior Mechanical Engineer - High Temperature Heat Pump

THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW, TAKING CARE OF TODAY

Wilgenhaege Innovations focuses on next-generation technologies in the field of sustainability. This includes high temperature heat pumps and innovative production technologies that enable factories to operate entirely without greenhouse gas emissions. We invest in progress — and therefore in a cleaner, better future.
To further strengthen our (digital) growth, we are looking for a senior Mechanical Engineer High Temperature Heat Pump

Taken

About the Role

We are developing next-Generation high-temperature heat pumps based on natural, zero-TFA working fluids, targeting industrial decarbonization.

As Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will act as the Mechanical Design Lead, owning the mechanical architecture and integrity of the system from concept to prototype and pilot deployment. This role is central to the success of the technology and works closely with system architecture, controls, safety & compliance, and external suppliers.

Key responsibilities:

Compressor selection and mechanical integration (technology selection, discharge temperature management, lubrication, seals, bearings, motor/drive interfaces).

• Heat exchanger selection and mechanical design for high-temperature duty (evaporators, gas coolers, condensers, superheaters) including pressure rating, thermal stress, manufacturability, and cleanability.
• Pressure equipment and vessel design for pressure-retaining components (materials, wall thickness, reinforcements, nozzle loads, supports) with high-temperature/high-pressure considerations.
• High-temperature piping design and integration (layout/routing, thermal expansion, stress & flexibility, supports, vibration mitigation, oil management, drainability).
• Material selection and integrity for elevated temperatures (creep awareness, long-term strength limits, refrigerant/lubricant compatibility, corrosion mechanisms).
• Sealing and insulation strategy for high-temperature equipment (temperature limits, aging, leakage risks, insulation degradation and safety).
• Fatigue and thermal cycling analysis (pressure/thermal cycling, startup/shutdown transients) and contributions to lifetime and reliability targets (analytical and/or FEA-based).
• Reviewing and approving mechanical designs, calculations, and technical documentation
• Supplier collaboration and technical challenge: work with manufacturers and suppliers to validate assumptions, feasibility, and cost-effective manufacturable designs.
• Cross-functional collaboration with system architects, controls, and safety & compliance to ensure design intent, operability, and regulatory readiness.
• Pressure boundary compliance experience (PED / CE), including technical design inputs for conformity assessment and interaction with Notified Bodies.
• Safety-related mechanical design exposure: pressure relief systems, flammable/toxic working fluids, or ATEX environments.
• Participation in HAZID / HAZOP or similar safety reviews (mechanical design contributor).

Vereisten

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

MSc in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience designing high-pressure and/or high-temperature equipment.
• Experience with compressors, rotating machinery, and/or industrial thermal systems (HVAC / heat pump background preferred).
• Strong background in mechanical design of pressure equipment and pressure-retaining components.
• Solid understanding of materials for elevated temperatures and industrial standards and best practices.
• Proven track record in working in project teams with strict scope, budget and deadlines
• Comfortable working with suppliers and challenging technical assumptions with data-driven engineering judgment.

Benefits

What we offer?

A key technical role in a deep-tech, high-impact energy system.

• Ownership and influence over core hardware decisions.
• Close collaboration with system architects and R&D.
• Opportunity to shape an industrial product from concept to market.
• Competitive compensation and flexible working conditions

Your application

Tell us why you are the engineer, we are looking for.

We look forward to meeting you!