Thermal Avionics Engineer

LHH Recruitment Solutions; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with a growing aerospace technology organization to identify a talented Thermal Engineer - Avionics. This role focuses on developing thermal solutions for avionics hardware and ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

You will lead thermal design and analysis, build and validate models, and work with multidisciplinary teams to optimize heat dissipation and performance across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field).
• 5+ years of thermal engineering experience in high‑reliability aerospace/electronics systems.
• Strong knowledge of conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer.
• Experience with thermal analysis of electronic hardware and assemblies.
• Proficiency with thermal modeling software such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, or COMSOL.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal design and analysis for avionics hardware, including boards, assemblies, and enclosures.
• Develop and validate thermal models using analytical and simulation methods.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses to inform design decisions.
• Establish thermal requirements and operating margins for hardware in extreme environments.
• Collaborate on hardware layout and packaging to optimize heat dissipation.
• Evaluate cooling solutions and materials, including heat sinks and thermal interface materials.
• Support environmental, thermal cycling, and TVAC testing activities.
• Correlate test data with models and implement design improvements.
• Prepare technical documentation and participate in design reviews.
• Assist with troubleshooting and corrective actions for thermal performance.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermal analysis

Electronics cooling

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with a growing aerospace technology organization to identify a talented Thermal Engineer - Avionics. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who thrives in innovative environments and enjoys solving complex thermal challenges for advanced electronic and avionics systems. The selected candidate will play a key role in the design, analysis, testing, and validation of mission-critical hardware operating in demanding conditions.

Position Overview

The Thermal Engineer will be responsible for developing thermal solutions for avionics hardware, ensuring system reliability, safety, and performance throughout the product development lifecycle. This role works closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including electrical, mechanical, systems, and operations professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead thermal design and analysis efforts for avionics hardware, including circuit boards, electronic assemblies, and enclosure systems.
• Develop and validate thermal models using analytical and simulation-based methods.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses to support engineering and design decisions.
• Establish thermal requirements and operating margins for hardware in extreme environments.
• Collaborate on hardware layout and packaging designs to optimize heat dissipation and component performance.
• Evaluate thermal management solutions, including heat sinks, thermal interface materials, coatings, and cooling strategies.
• Support environmental, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum testing activities.
• Correlate test data with thermal models and implement design improvements as needed.
• Prepare technical documentation and participate in engineering design reviews.
• Assist with troubleshooting, failure analysis, and corrective actions related to thermal performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of thermal engineering experience, preferably supporting aerospace, avionics, electronics, or other high-reliability systems.
• Strong knowledge of heat transfer principles, including conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Experience performing thermal analysis of electronic hardware and assemblies.
• Experience with thermal modeling software such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, COMSOL, or similar tools.
• Experience supporting environmental testing and validating analytical models with test data.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Experience supporting aerospace, space, high-altitude, or other extreme-environment systems.
• Knowledge of PCB thermal design and power electronics thermal management.
• Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing and qualification programs.
• Familiarity with aerospace environmental qualification standards and best practices.
• Experience supporting hardware development from concept through qualification and production.