A Loughborough hydrogen fuel cell engineering company building lightweight power systems for aircraft, drones and other uses.
Intelligent Energy is a hydrogen fuel cell engineering company with roughly 30 years of work on proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which turn hydrogen and air into electricity. Its systems are built to be light and efficient, for aerospace, drones and other uses. For aviation it is developing a 300 kilowatt modular fuel cell system that can be combined into megawatt-scale systems for regional aircraft, and it says its patented design shrinks the cooling system, a major challenge for flight.
Chief commercial officer Greg Harris said in May 2026, "Hydrogen has a clear role in the future of aviation, both in the air and on the ground, and the UK is well placed to lead." In the same announcement Intelligent Energy said joining the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance, whose members include Airbus, easyJet, GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce, would help speed up hydrogen-powered flight. The company says it also worked with Boeing on the first manned fuel cell flight in 2008, so its aerospace links go back many years. Other alliance members include Bristol Airport, which links engines with airports.
The company's UK base is in Loughborough, Leicestershire, where the May 2026 announcement was issued, with other offices in Cupertino in the United States and Tokyo in Japan. It has a 1 megawatt test centre in Northamptonshire, on a wind and solar park, where it tests systems for aerospace. Its fuel cells can also power airport ground equipment such as tow tractors and back-up power. The May 2026 announcement shows it is still trading.
The careers page says the company looks for people with commercial awareness who act with urgency and commitment, and it values teamwork, fact-based decisions and taking initiative and ownership. It also says its environment enables staff to maximise their potential and to be part of a strong team. These are the company's own words, and we did not find a headcount. The careers page also lists drone, or UAV, markets alongside aerospace, so the work covers very small aircraft as well as regional planes.
The careers page does not mention any graduate scheme, apprenticeship or internship programme, and the vacancies page was not readable. An aviation-focused business development role, IE-FLIGHT, was found on a job board but is for experienced candidates. Look for engineering roles in fuel cells, power electronics, thermal management and test, and check Intelligent Energy's vacancies page directly for any junior or placement roles.
Website: www.intelligent-energy.com
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