Hypersonic Thermal Systems Engineer

Medium; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 91,800 - 140,250; Full time

Job summary

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company focused on rapid iterative prototyping for hypersonic vehicles. This Thermal Engineer role involves conducting thermal analyses, designing robust thermal management systems, and collaborating across engineering disciplines to ensure safe operation under extreme thermal conditions.

The position requires a Bachelor's in mechanical, aerospace, or thermal engineering, familiarity with ANSYS/CFD, and a passion for solving complex thermal challenges

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or thermal engineering (or related field).
• Proficiency in thermal analysis software and computational tools (e.g., ANSYS, CFD) for thermal simulations and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Thermal Analysis: conduct detailed thermal analyses and simulations to model heat transfer and thermal behavior during mach3+ flight.
• Thermal System Design: design thermal management systems including heat shields, insulation, and active cooling.
• Material Selection: evaluate high-temperature materials for thermal protection and heat dissipation.
• Hot metallic structure analysis: analyze and test methods to reduce thermal-induced stress and deflections.
• Integration: collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and materials teams.
• Testing and Validation: plan and conduct thermal tests in lab and flight environments.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree advantageous

Tools

ANSYS

CFD

Thermal Desktop

Job description

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.

As a Thermal Engineer at Hermeus, you will be responsible for analyzing, designing, and implementing thermal solutions for various components and systems in our high mach vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Thermal Analysis: Conduct detailed thermal analyses and simulations using state-of-the-art tools and software to model heat transfer, thermal loads, and thermal behavior during all phases of mach3+ flight.
• Thermal System Design: Design and develop efficient thermal management systems, including heat shields, thermal protection materials, insulation, and active cooling systems to ensure the integrity and reliability of critical vehicle components.
• Material Selection: Evaluate and select appropriate materials with high-temperature capabilities and thermal resistance for thermal protection and heat dissipation in hypersonic environments.
• Hot metallic structure analysis: Analize and test novel ways to reduce thermal induces stress and deflections.
• Integration: Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and materials, to seamlessly integrate thermal solutions into the overall vehicle design.
• Testing and Validation: Plan, conduct, and analyze thermal tests in laboratory environments and during flight tests to validate thermal models and verify the performance of thermal systems under real-world conditions.
• Innovation: Stay up to date with the latest advancements in thermal engineering, aerospace materials, and heat transfer technologies. Continuously seek innovative approaches to enhance thermal efficiency and performance.
• Documentation: Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations to communicate thermal analysis results, design decisions, and recommendations to stakeholders and project teams.
• Work hand in hand with responsible engineers to develop simple and robust thermal solutions for a high temperature environment

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or thermal engineering (or a related field). A master's is advantageous.
• Proficiency in thermal analysis software and computational tools (e.g., ANSYS, CFD) thermal desktop, for thermal simulations and modeling.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in thermal engineering, heat transfer analysis, or thermal management systems in aerospace, high-speed vehicles, or related fields.
• Solid understanding of aerospace materials, high-temperature alloys, and material behavior under extreme thermal conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to work on complex thermal challenges and propose effective solutions.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Adaptability and a willingness to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic research and development environment.
• Experience participating in a collegiate engineering competition team such as Formula SAE (FSAE), Design/Build/Fly (DBF), Baja SAE, Rocketry, or a comparable hands-on engineering organization is highly preferred.

$91,800 - $140,250 a year

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by22 C.F.R. § 120.62or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.