About The Position
This role involves the thermal design and analysis of unmanned air vehicles across various design stages. The engineer will define thermal system architectures and material selection for vehicles operating in demanding flight environments. Responsibilities include performing thermal analysis using CFD, FEA, and engineering methods, modeling material response under combined thermal and mechanical loads, and conducting transient thermal analysis for time-varying mission profiles. The position also entails planning, executing, and analyzing ground tests in specialized thermal test facilities, as well as planning, executing, and analyzing flight test thermal data. The engineer will utilize first principles and MATLAB/Python models to guide design decisions, collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, and present thermal status at formal reviews. Preparation of formal documentation such as specifications, test procedures, and technical reports is also required.
Requirements
- MS or higher degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics with focus on heat transfer and fluid dynamics
- In-depth understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and high-temperature environments
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace thermal engineering on rocket, aircraft, or missile programs
- Experience with thermal analysis in high-speed flight regimes
- Thermal analysis experience using CFD (STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent) and/or FEA thermal solvers
- Experience with thermal-structural coupling
- Ground testing experience with thermal instrumentation and data acquisition
- Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar for tool development
- Experience preparing formal documentation
- CAD experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX
- Passion for defending the United States and her allies
- Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
Nice To Haves
- Experience with material response modeling in extreme thermal environments
- Knowledge of material degradation and surface phenomena under demanding conditions
- Experience with specialized thermal ground test facilities
- Experience with chemical kinetics and finite-rate chemistry modeling
- Flight test experience including instrumentation design and post-flight analysis
- Experience with thermal-structural analysis codes (NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical)
- Material characterization experience at elevated temperatures
- Experience with manufacturing and assembly of thermal systems
- Active U.S. security clearance
Responsibilities
- Thermal design and analysis of unmanned air vehicles at conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design maturities
- Define thermal system architectures and material selection strategies for vehicles operating in demanding flight environments
- Thermal analysis of flight vehicles using CFD, FEA, and engineering methods
- Material response modeling under combined thermal and mechanical loads
- Transient thermal analysis for time-varying mission profiles
- Ground test planning, execution, and analysis in specialized thermal test facilities
- Flight test planning, execution, and post-flight thermal data analysis
- Use first principles and MATLAB/Python models to inform design decisions
- Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, electrical, and systems engineers on integrated solutions
- Present thermal status at formal reviews internally and with customers
- Prepare formal documentation (specifications, test procedures, technical reports)
Benefits
- Potential for extension or conversion to a permanent position
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
