Senior Thermal/Ablation Analysis Engineer – Propulsion

InvestedintheMission; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 128,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401k with company match

Equity grants

Job summary

Ursa Major is seeking a Senior Thermal/Ablation Analyst to perform high-fidelity thermal analyses for propulsion and defense systems, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and test teams to support development, qualification, and production.

You will conduct thermal modeling across extreme operating conditions, validate models with test data, and prepare technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in thermal analysis of aerospace components.
• Proficiency in finite element and computational thermal analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, thermal expansion, and high-temperature material behavior.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test data.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced development environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thermal modeling and analysis for components and systems under extreme operating conditions.
• Perform transient and steady-state thermal analyses to evaluate heat transfer, thermal gradients, and material response.
• Develop and validate analytical models using industry-standard software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ITRAC).
• Assess insulation performance, ablative material behavior, and thermal protection system effectiveness utilizing analytical tools and hands-on inspection methods.
• Correlate analytical predictions with test data and refine models accordingly.
• Work with design and manufacturing teams to optimize thermal performance and ensure feasibility.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in design reviews, failure investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Finite element analysis

Heat transfer

Materials behavior

Engineering drawing interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ITRAC

Job description

Ursa Major is seeking a Senior Thermal/Ablation Analyst to perform high-fidelity thermal analyses for propulsion and defense systems, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and test teams to support development, qualification, and production.

You will conduct thermal modeling across extreme operating conditions, validate models with test data, and prepare technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.