Senior Thermal Engineer

Castelion; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 4 weeks

10 holidays

Health benefits (employee + dependents

Dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Fitness stipend $100/month

Onsite EV charging

Catered meals

Food during high-demand periods

Fully stocked kitchen

Job summary

Castelion in California is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to own the thermal methodology for our missile systems. You will define architectures, develop high-fidelity models, and perform first-principles analyses, simulations, and hardware testing to ensure reliable performance in demanding environments.

You will collaborate across aero, structures, electrical, propulsion, and test engineering, moving between analytical models and flight data, and you will present findings at reviews and

Qualifications

• BS or higher in aerospace, mechanical engineering, or applied physics.
• 5+ years of aerospace thermal engineering experience on rocket, spacecraft, aircraft or missile programs.
• Experience with electronic unit thermal analysis and component junctions.
• Ground testing experience with thermal instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Strong MATLAB/Python programming for tool development.
• Experience preparing formal documentation.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX.
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Thermal design and analysis of unmanned air vehicles at conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design maturities.
• Define thermal system architectures and material selection strategies for vehicles operating in demanding flight environments.
• Thermal analysis of flight vehicles using standard thermal analysis codes and engineering/hand methods.
• Transient thermal analysis for time-varying mission profiles.
• Ground test planning, execution, and analysis in specialized thermal test facilities.
• Flight test planning, execution, and post-flight thermal data analysis.
• Use first principles and MATLAB/Python models to inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, electrical, and systems engineers on integrated solutions.
• Present thermal status at formal reviews internally and with customers.
• Prepare formal documentation (specifications, test procedures, technical reports).

Skills

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

High-temperature environments

First principles analysis

MATLAB

Python

Documentation

Security clearance

Team collaboration

Education

BS in aerospace/mechanical engineering or applied physics

MS in relevant field (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Siemens NX

Thermal Desktop/SINDA

Job description

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus and technical excellence are decisive advantages - and we are building a team that can deliver real capability, not just concepts.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where your work will directly shape critical systems, influence major technical decisions, and have immediate, real-world impact.

Senior Thermal Engineer

As a Senior Thermal Engineer at Castelion, you will own the thermal engineering methodology across our missile systems. You will define thermal architectures, develop high-fidelity thermal models, and use first-principles analysis, simulation, and hardware testing to ensure our vehicles perform reliably in some of the most demanding thermal environments imaginable.

You'll work across aerodynamics, structures, electrical, propulsion, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering to develop integrated thermal solutions from concept through flight. Your work will span transient mission analysis, electronic unit thermal management, specialized ground testing, and flight-test instrumentation and data analysis. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys moving fluidly between analytical models, real hardware, and flight data—and who wants to directly influence vehicle architecture and design decisions from day one.

Responsibilities

• Thermal design and analysis of unmanned air vehicles at conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design maturities
• Define thermal system architectures and material selection strategies for vehicles operating in demanding flight environments
• Thermal analysis of flight vehicles using standard thermal analysis codes and engineering/hand methods
• Transient thermal analysis for time-varying mission profiles
• Ground test planning, execution, and analysis in specialized thermal test facilities
• Flight test planning, execution, and post-flight thermal data analysis
• Use first principles and MATLAB/Python models to inform design decisions
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, electrical, and systems engineers on integrated solutions
• Present thermal status at formal reviews internally and with customers
• Prepare formal documentation (specifications, test procedures, technical reports)

Basic Qualifications

• BS or higher degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics
• In-depth understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and high-temperature environments
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace thermal engineering on rocket, spacecraft, aircraft, or missile programs
• Experience with electronic unit thermal analysis and control to component junctions
• Ground testing experience with thermal instrumentation and data acquisition
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar for tool development
• Experience preparing formal documentation
• CAD experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Skills and Experience

• MS or higher degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics with focus on heat transfer and fluid dynamics
• Experience with material ablation response modeling in extreme thermal environments
• Knowledge of material degradation and surface phenomena under demanding conditions
• Experience with specialized thermal ground test facilities
• Flight test experience including instrumentation design and post-flight analysis
• Experience with Thermal Desktop/SINDA
• Experience with manufacturing and assembly of thermal systems
• Active U.S. security clearance

Benefits

• four (4) weeks of paid time off
• ten (10) company-paid holidays
• comprehensive health benefits - including 100% employee-covered medical and strong dependent coverage
• dental and vision plans
• paid parental leave
• a $100 monthly fitness stipend
• onsite EV charging
• catered meals
• company-covered food during high-demand periods
• fully stocked kitchen

While this position does not currently require a U.S government-issued security clearance, it may in the near future. Therefore, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government–issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by 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.