Senior Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Analysis Hardware

Front Door Defense; Lexington (MA); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Lexington, MA seeks a Senior Thermal Analyst to own thermal design aspects across hardware development programs. You will develop detailed analytical models, mature prototype designs, and support hardware testing with validated predictions.

Responsibilities include first-principles hand calculations, CFD modeling, test-model correlation, and cross-functional collaboration with environmental test engineers. Eligible for U.S.

Qualifications

• MS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with focus on heat transfer and fluid dynamics.
• 7+ years of experience in a thermal analysis or thermo-physics analysis role.
• Thermal FEA experience – STAR-CCM+, ANSYS, Icepak, or Flotherm.
• Familiarity with MATLAB or Python for developing analytical models and data processing.
• Experience with performing test-model correlation and test-based characterization of critical modelling input parameters.
• Good at working independently and with various teams and key stakeholders.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Execute hand calculations, spreadsheet, and MATLAB/Python first-order models to inform path forward before detailed analysis.
• Develop CFD models and simulations to predict temperatures, heat transfer, and fluid characteristics; maintain FEMs for imaging platforms.
• Perform test-model correlation testing to validate analytical predictions.
• Collaborate with environmental test engineers to support tests, instrumentation, execution, and data processing.
• Prepare technical reports to present findings to internal teams, management, and external customers.
• Stay current with advancements in thermal analysis techniques, materials technology, and industry standards.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Self-starting

Results oriented

Education

MS in engineering or applied physics

Tools

STAR-CCM+

ANSYS

Icepak

Flotherm

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Analysis

Build and validate thermal models for high-performance imaging hardware from concept to production

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Compensation: $146,000 - 194,000 USD / year

About The Role

Senior Thermal Analyst

Lexington, MA

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

The Test and Analysis team is responsible for ensuring that emerging products are ready for the harsh conditions of air, land, sea, and space environments. Our team supports multi-disciplinary product teams across the full life cycle to design, develop, and validate new and existing products. This includes requirements analysis, environmental and electromagnetic interference testing, reliability testing, and manufacturing sustainment efforts. The Test and Analysis team achieves these objectives through consistently striving to understand primary design drivers through analytical modeling, including specialized structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis, along with strategic engineering validation and qualification test campaigns. This fused approach ultimately enables us to identify opportunities for product robustness and quickly implement solutions to ensure critical capabilities efficiently make it into the hands of our military and its allies.

We are looking for a Senior Thermal Analyst to join our rapidly growing team in Lexington, MA. In this role, you will be responsible for performing thermal analysis and taking ownership of thermal design aspects across hardware development programs. You will execute first order assessment of designs to guide preliminary design architecture, develop detailed analytical models to mature prototype designs and develop predictions to support hardware testing. If you are someone who is excited to work on new projects from conceptualization through production and are passionate about developing validated and correlated models to support the rapid prototyping of cutting edge systems.

What You'll Do

• Execute hand calculations, spreadsheet, and MATLAB/Python first-order models to inform path forward before jumping into detailed analysis. Use first principles as a basis for every decision and discern the right level of analysis to apply based on state of hardware design and program goals
• Develop appropriate CFD models and simulations to predict temperatures, heat transfer, and fluid characteristics as needed to meet design schedules. Generate, maintain, and correlate integrated FEMs for imaging platforms.
• Perform test-model correlation testing to validate analytical predictions
• Work closely with environmental test engineers to support the design, instrumentation selection, execution, and data processing of tests to validate models and predictions, including fundamental
• Prepare technical reports to present findings to internal teams, management, and external customers
• Stay current with advancements in thermal analysis techniques, materials technology, and industry standards

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or have obtained a MS or higher degree in engineering or applied physics with focus on heat transfer and fluid dynamics
• 7+ years of experience in a thermal analysis or thermo-physics analysis role
• Thermal FEA experience – STAR-CCM+, ANSYS, Icepak, or Flotherm
• Familiarity with Matlab or Python (or equivalent) for developing analytical models and performing data acquisition & post-processing
• Experience with performing test-model correlation and test based characterization of critical modelling input parameters
• Good at working independently and with various teams and key stakeholders
• Highly motivated, self-starting, results oriented, and capable of working in a dynamic environment
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Performed structural, thermal, and optical performance (STOP) models for high performance imaging systems
• General knowledge of climatic and/or dynamic testing including understanding of various instrumentation and data acquisition fundamentals
• Knowledge on how to run and operate chambers, DAQs, and other major test apparatus
• CAD skills (any platform) and ability to make high quality engineering drawings that meet common industry standards
• Experience in an immersive interdisciplinary technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings)
• Basic knowledge of MIL-STD-810 or equivalent

US Salary Range

$146,000 - $194,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.