Advanced Gear Design and Electrified Powertrain Systems (KTP Associate) in Newcastle upon Tyne

Salary: £42,500 (plus substantial training budget) per annum. Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits including great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Please note this vacancy adopts the working hours and annual leave of the host partner as set in job description. Closing date: 25 June 2026.

The Role

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:

• Development of analytical and numerical models for gear systems.
• Drivetrain optimisation for efficiency, durability, noise and manufacturability.
• Application of these methods to real‑world product platforms.
• Support prototype design, testing, validation, and interpretation of results.
• Establish repeatable design methodologies, tools, and documentation.
• Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to support specification development, feasibility assessment, and technical decision‑making.
• Contribute to project management activities including progress reporting, milestone reviews, and knowledge transfer sessions.

Company Information

iNetic is a UK‑based engineering and manufacturing company specialising in electrified drivetrain and motion systems for automotive, robotics, automation, and emerging mobility applications. Having evolved from a component‑focused business into a product‑led organisation, it delivers integrated solutions combining electric motors, gearboxes, and drive electronics, working closely with OEMs and technology partners from concept design through to prototyping, validation, and low‑ to medium‑volume production.

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.

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 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (30‑minute break); Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The annual leave applicable to this role is 25 days plus bank holidays. Although the contract is fixed term for a duration of three years, more than 70 % of KTP staff gain a permanent job offer by their KTP company.

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.
• Support prototype build, test planning, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in product development, testing, or industrial R&D evidencing strong data analysis and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong technical expertise in gear systems, mechanical power transmission, or drivetrain design.
• Ability to translate theoretical research into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong CAD/CAE and test‑driven development track record.
• 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.
• 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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 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.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

Qualifications and Experience

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

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.