SENIOR THERMAL ENGINEER

IGNITE; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IGNITE in Huntsville, AL is seeking a detail-oriented Senior Thermal Engineer to support the NGI Program. The role involves high-fidelity thermal analyses across missile components and requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering along with at least 3 years of relevant experience.

The successful candidate will collaborate with various teams to deliver critical thermal solutions, while also performing activities related to thermal modeling using established industry tools. This role demands strong problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in thermal/thermofluids analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Strong analytical skills grounded in engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Own thermal modeling strategy using industry-standard tools.
• Develop and conduct thermal analyses across missile components.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop thermal solutions.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Finite Element Analysis

Problem-solving skills

Mathematical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

Simcenter

Thermal Desktop

SINDA

ANSYS

Job description

Job Description

Igniters operate in the world’s most demanding environment. Igniters are self‑motivated, mission-driven, and relentless in solving the Warfighters’ hardest problems. We move fast, think differently, and execute with precision to tackle high‑stakes challenges across AI/ML, space and missile defense intelligence, EMSO, advanced analytics, and programmatic domains. As an employee‑owned SDVOSB headquartered in Huntsville, AL, our team delivers mission‑critical impact for the Army, Air Force, Space Force, MDA, NASA, DIA, and FBI.

Ignite exists to outpace the threat and deliver results that matter in the moments that count.

Ignite is currently seeking a driven, detail‑oriented Senior Thermal Engineer to join our team supporting the NGI Program in Huntsville, AL. As a member of the thermal engineering team, you will support high‑fidelity thermal analyses across missile components, subsystems, and fully integrated systems — including ground support equipment — throughout the entire lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end thermal modeling strategy using tools such as NX, Simcenter, SINDA/Fluent, and Thermal Desktop.
• Develop preliminary hand calculations and reduced‑order models to inform early design trades before advancing to detailed simulations.
• Account for all relevant heating environments — conduction, convection, radiation (solar, Earth IR, albedo), aerodynamic heating, free molecular heating, and transient mission effects.
• Translate program requirements into actionable thermal design criteria and verification strategies.
• Drive thermal support for Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and environmental testing, including instrumentation strategy and data correlation.
• Partner across structures, materials, propulsion, manufacturing, and quality to develop producible, cost‑effective thermal solutions.
• Coordinate TPS design, material selection, and component‑level thermal integration. This is a highly collaborative, fast‑paced environment where your technical judgment and leadership will directly influence system‑level performance.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in thermal/thermofluids analysis (thermophysics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, etc.).
• Experience using industry‑standard thermal analysis tools such as NX/Simcenter, Thermal Desktop, SINDA, ANSYS.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills grounded in mechanical engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance; US citizenship is required.

Desired Skills

• Experience modeling complex missile or aerospace thermal environments in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) across full mission profiles.
• Expertise in integrating transient and steady‑state data from cross‑functional teams into high‑fidelity models.
• Experience coordinating with test teams to define instrumentation plans, conditioning approaches, and correlation strategies.
• Proficiency performing 1D models and first‑principles calculations (bulk temperatures, backside temperatures, ablation, erosion, etc.).
• Experience influencing material selection and TPS design from a thermal performance perspective.
• Strong executive‑level communication skills with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Security Clearance Requirements

ACTIVE SECRET

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM Discipline