Senior Mechanical/Thermal Engineer

Concurrent Technologies Plc; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holidays + bank holidays andr?

Job summary

Concurrent Technologies Plc is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to own the thermal direction of high‑power electronic systems. You will lead design activities, drive CFD analysis, and ensure robust, manufacturable cooling solutions across environmental conditions.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical and manufacturing teams, mentor junior engineers, and push improvements in tools, processes and best practices. A strong background in heat transfer and mechanical design is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in thermal design of electronics or high-power systems.
• Strong proficiency in CFD tools (e.g Solid works flow simulation).
• Excellent understanding of heat transfer fundamentals and practical application.
• Experience with conduction and air-cooled systems in constrained environment.
• Proven hands-on mechanical design experience (not just analysis).
• Strong CAD capability (SolidWorks).
• Experience designing thermal/mechanical assemblies for production.
• Understanding of tolerancing, interfaces, and real-world build constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of designs from concept through to production.

Responsibilities

• Own thermal architecture and design for complex electronic systems.
• Perform detailed thermal modelling using CFD and analytical approaches.
• Define and manage thermal budgets and worst-case analyses.
• Develop and optimise cooling solutions (forced air, conduction, hybrid approaches).
• Ensure designs meet performance requirements across full environmental conditions.
• Correlate simulation results with physical test data and refine models.
• Design and develop thermal hardware (heatsinks, frames, cold plates, enclosures).
• Contribute directly to mechanical design, ensuring thermal considerations are embedded.
• Create/review CAD models and engineering drawings.
• Ensure manufacturability, robustness, and cost-effective design solutions.
• Influence materials selection, surface finishes, and interface design for thermal performance.
• Engage at concept stage to influence system architecture and layout.
• Identify thermal risks early and drive mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams.
• Provide technical input into design reviews and key engineering decisions.
• Define and execute thermal validation plans.
• Instrument systems and support test activities.
• Analyse and present data clearly to stakeholders.
• Ensure strong correlation between predicted and measured performance.
• Act as subject matter expert for thermal engineering within the team.
• Mentor and support junior engineers where required.
• Drive improvements in tools, processes, and best practices.

Skills

Thermal design

CFD analysis

SolidWorks CAD

Thermal testing

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Thermal Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

CFD tools

Job description

We're building something powerful. Let's build it together.

We've delivered high-performance embedded computing solutions for four decades across industries including defence, telecoms, and aerospace. We're proud to be experts in what we do and are looking for more brilliant people to join our team.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer with strong mechanical design capability to take ownership of thermal performance across complex, high-power electronic systems. This role requires a deep understanding of heat transfer, coupled with practical mechanical engineering experience to deliver physically robust, manufacturable thermal solutions.

You will be expected to lead thermal design activities end-to-end, shaping architecture decisions, driving analysis, validating performance, and influencing overall system design.

What will I be doing?

Thermal Design & Analysis

• Own thermal architecture and design for complex electronic systems
• Perform detailed thermal modelling using CFD and analytical approaches
• Define and manage thermal budgets and worst-case analyses
• Develop and optimise cooling solutions (forced air, conduction, hybrid approaches)
• Ensure designs meet performance requirements across full environmental conditions
• Correlate simulation results with physical test data and refine models

Mechanical Design Integration

• Design and develop thermal hardware (heatsinks, frames, cold plates, enclosures)
• Contribute directly to mechanical design, ensuring thermal considerations are embedded
• Create/review CAD models and engineering drawings
• Ensure manufacturability, robustness, and cost-effective design solutions
• Influence materials selection, surface finishes, and interface design for thermal performance

System-Level Ownership

• Engage at concept stage to influence system architecture and layout
• Identify thermal risks early and drive mitigation strategies
• Work closely with electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams
• Provide technical input into design reviews and key engineering decisions

Verification & Testing

• Define and execute thermal validation plans
• Instrument systems and support test activities
• Analyse and present data clearly to stakeholders
• Ensure strong correlation between predicted and measured performance

Technical Leadership

• Act as subject matter expert for thermal engineering within the team
• Mentor and support junior engineers where required
• Drive improvements in tools, processes, and best practices

What are we looking for?

Experience and Knowledge

• Significant experience in thermal design of electronics or high-power systems
• Strong proficiency in CFD tools (e.g Solid works flow simulation)
• Excellent understanding of heat transfer fundamentals and practical application
• Experience with conduction and air-cooled systems in constrained environment
• Proven hands-on mechanical design experience (not just analysis)
• Strong CAD capability (SolidWorks)
• Experience designing thermal/mechanical assemblies for production
• Understanding of tolerancing, interfaces, and real-world build constraints
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of designs from concept through to production
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and lifecycle considerations

Desirable Experience

• Experience in ruggedised or high-reliability systems (e.g. defence, aerospace, industrial)
• Familiarity with relevant environmental or industry standards
• Experience with Heat pipes and Vapour chambers, liquid cooling or high heat flux systems
• Exposure to coupled thermal-structural analysis (FEA)
• Experience supporting bids, proposals, or early concept work
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related discipline
• Chartered status (or working towards) is advantageous

Benefits for working at Concurrent

• 25 days holidays + bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme.
• Annual profit share bonus.
• Cycle to work, Home & Tech and car salary sacrifice schemes.
• Death in service benefit & income protection.
• Employee assistance programme and virtual GP.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Generous company pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
• One paid volunteering day per year.
• Private Health Insurance through Bupa.
• YuLife wellbeing app.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe in the power of a diverse, inclusive team. We welcome all applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age. Please let us know if you require anything which would enable your success throughout our interview process.

Security Clearance

Please be aware that certain roles working for Concurrent will be subject to security and export control restrictions. These specific roles are therefore subject to candidates being able to meet BPSS level pre-employment screening criteria. For more information and guidance about security requirements please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

GDPR

By applying for this position, you acknowledge that your personal data will be processed in accordance with Concurrent's Data Protection Policy. We will use your information solely for recruitment purposes and will not share it with third parties without your consent. Your data will be stored securely and retained only as long as necessary for the recruitment process. You have the right to access, rectify, or delete your personal data at any time. For more information on how we handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.