Thermal Engineer (Level 2 or 3)

Northrop Grumman; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 88,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Discretionary bonus

Health insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Thermal Engineer to support the Armament Systems group. You will perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses, develop FE models, and work with mechanical design, systems, and test teams to guide robust weapon system decisions.

The role involves collaboration with SMEs, aeroheating considerations, and a focus on reliability across product life cycles. A BS in engineering and FE tool experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience with steady-state and transient thermal analysis using FE tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop finite element approaches to thermal problems.
• Select analysis types and tools for metals, plastics, composites.
• Build thermal and coupled thermal/structural models: geometry, mesh, BCs, materials.
• Run simulations and document results for design reviews.
• Support innovation with modern analysis tools and workflows.
• Collaborate with Design, Systems, and Test Engineers to present findings.

Skills

Heat transfer

Finite element analysis

ANSYS

Team collaboration

Security clearance

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

ANSYS Icepak

Abaqus

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

The development of smart armament systems, designed to increase the competitive advantage of our armed forces, is accelerating. This growth has created a need for an engineer with a passion for technology development and a strong foundation in thermal and structural analysis. At Armament Systems, we design, develop, and sustain advanced weapon systems and munitions that must perform reliably in demanding environments across their entire life cycle. Our team integrates mechanical design, modeling and simulation, and test to deliver safe, effective, and affordable products to the warfighter. As a Thermal Engineer, you will contribute to this mission by supporting thermal and coupled thermal/structural analyses that guide design decisions, improve product robustness, and help ensure our systems meet or exceed customer expectations while acting with integrity and respect.

As a Thermal Engineer, you will utilize thermal analysis tools and finite element methods to support the Armament Systems design team in developing smart weapon systems. You will work with Subject Matter Experts to define and execute steady-state and transient thermal analyses that inform design decisions across the product life cycle. Key considerations include thermal loads from electronic components and aeroheating in high-speed and hypersonic ballistic environments; performing or assisting with aeroheating CFD analyses (potentially including material recession and ablation) is highly desired. Experience thermally analyzing metallic materials, conventional molded plastic materials, and printed circuit boards is required.

Responsibilities

• Work with Subject Matter Experts to develop finite element analysis approaches and solutions to thermal problems based on an understanding of engineering principles.
• Assist in determining the appropriate analysis type and tools needed to evaluate a variety of numerical modeling problems involving metals, plastics, and composite materials.
• Develop the thermal and coupled thermal/structural models:
  • Geometry preparation and mesh generation
  • Selection and application of boundary conditions and constraints
  • Selection and application of material properties
  • Setup and execution of appropriate simulation codes and solution methodologies
  • Develop simple bench tests to anchor simulation predictions
  • Post-process and assist in the interpretation of analytical results; help identify key sensitivities and support recommendations for design improvements.
  • Document analysis methods, assumptions, and results in clear technical reports and presentations for internal design reviews.
  • Support innovation by applying modern analysis tools and workflows to new smart munition product development.
  • Become an integrated member of the product team by developing an understanding of the overall system function, collaborating closely with Design, Systems, and Test Engineers, and presenting analysis results and design recommendations in an insightful and timely manner.

This position may be filled as a Thermal Engineer level 2 or 3, depending on the candidate’s education and/or years of experience.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience with a BS degree; 0+ years with a Master’s degree in a related field
• Strong understanding of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, convection, and radiation)
• Academic or work experience performing steady-state and transient thermal analysis using tools such as ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS Icepak, or Abaqus.
• Familiarity with structural FEA (e.g. deformation, stress, strain, modal, shock, and vibration)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, receive technical direction, and incorporate feedback.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document analyses and present technical results.
• U.S. citizen and possess or qualify for a U.S. Government security clearance

Qualifications For Principal Thermal Engineer (Level 3)

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience with Bachelor of Science degree; 3+ years with a Master’s degree, or 1+ year with a PhD.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, convection, and radiation)
• Academic or work experience performing steady-state and transient thermal analysis using tools such as ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS Icepak, or Abaqus.
• Familiarity with structural FEA (e.g. deformation, stress, strain, modal, shock, and vibration)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, receive technical direction, and incorporate feedback.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document analyses and present technical results.
• U.S. citizen and possess or qualify for a U.S. Government security clearance

Desired Qualificaions

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a focus in thermal sciences, structural mechanics, or related area.
• Thermal analysis of electronic enclosures and printed circuit card assemblies using ANSYS Icepak or similar tools.
• Use of CFD tools or codes to determine the aeroheating parameters for projectiles or flight vehicles.
• Coupled analysis experience (thermal/structural, thermal/fluid, structural/fluid, thermoelectric, etc)

Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.