Thermal Engineer

Footbridge Federal; Woburn, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Footbridge Federal is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to join our defense-focused engineering team. You will create and execute geometry-based thermal models, perform steady-state and transient analyses, and define material properties and heat loads to guide thermal architectures.

You will conduct system-level trade studies, evaluate hardware, and design developmental and environmental testing plans. A TS clearance is required; travel is occasional as needed to field sites and meetings.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance required; ability to start with an Interim Top Secret.
• 5+ years of experience in thermal engineering and analysis.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop for thermal modeling.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for CAD integration.
• Security clearance at Top Secret level.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute comprehensive geometry-based thermal models, performing both steady-state and transient analyses.
• Define and apply thermo-physical and optical material properties, interface characteristics, and representative heat loads.
• Conduct system-level trade studies and design reviews to guide thermal management architectures and concepts.
• Select, evaluate, and procure thermal control hardware.
• Design and execute developmental, qualification, and environmental testing plans.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

5+ years thermal engineering

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

COMSOL

Ansys

CFD software

Job description

• Create and execute comprehensive geometry-based thermal models, performing both steady-state and transient analyses.
• Define and apply thermo-physical and optical material properties, interface characteristics, and representative heat loads.
• Conduct system-level trade studies and design reviews to guide thermal management architectures and concepts.
• Select, evaluate, and procure thermal control hardware.
• Design and execute developmental, qualification, and environmental testing plans.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance (ability to start with an Interim Top Secret).
• 5+ years of experience in thermal engineering and analysis.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop for thermal modeling.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for CAD integration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with thermal design for space and airborne platforms, including orbital environment simulation.
• Familiarity with passive and active thermal control technologies, such as heat pipes, multi-layer insulation (MLI), and thermal coatings.
• Experience with COMSOL, Ansys, or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.
• Background in thermal vacuum test design and execution.

Required Skills

• Active Top Secret clearance (ability to start with an Interim Top Secret).
• 5+ years of experience in thermal engineering and analysis.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop for thermal modeling.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for CAD integration.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with thermal design for space and airborne platforms, including orbital environment simulation.
• Familiarity with passive and active thermal control technologies, such as heat pipes, multi-layer insulation (MLI), and thermal coatings.
• Experience with COMSOL, Ansys, or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.
• Background in thermal vacuum test design and execution.

Security Clearance

• Level: Top Secret

Travel or Schedule

• Collaborative, interdisciplinary engineering team environment.; Occasional domestic travel (approximately 10% or less) to field sites and meetings.

Collaborative, interdisciplinary engineering team environment. Occasional domestic travel (approximately 10% or less) to field sites and meetings.

• Health and Financial Foundation — Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits — PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development — The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.

Mission

Footbridge Federal delivers engineering, cyber, mission IT, analytics, and cleared program support for defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland security, and research missions.

Culture

Mission Context Matters

Candidates should expect work tied to defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland, and research missions rather than generic commercial delivery.

Small-Team Accountability

The culture copy emphasizes ownership, communication, and practical execution across teams that work close to customers and program outcomes.

Growth With Technical Credibility

Career content supports hands‑on technical growth, certifications, internal mobility, and program leadership without forcing one career track.

Benefits & why work here

• Health and Financial Foundation: Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits: PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development: The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.