Thermal Engineer

About the role

Aquila Technology is seeking a Thermal Engineer to support one of the nation’s premier defense research organizations. The team develops first-of-a-kind prototype systems across underwater, ground, air, and space domains for high-impact national security missions. Engineers work on advanced structural and material systems for space-based imaging and laser communications, thermal management solutions from cryogenic to hypersonic regimes, and aerodynamic design and assessment for unmanned aerial vehicles, airborne pods, and hypersonic platforms. Solutions are realized through the integration of high-fidelity analytical and computational modeling, multidisciplinary simulation, environmental testing, and advanced materials, addressing demanding performance, size, weight, power, and environmental constraints that are at the forefront of current engineering capabilities.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end development and execution of geometry-based thermal models, identifying and applying appropriate thermo‑physical and optical material properties, modeling critical mechanical, thermal, and radiative interfaces, applying representative dissipative heat loads, and executing steady‑state and transient thermal analyses to ensure compliance with safe operating temperature limits and mission requirements.
• Provide thermal technical expertise to system‑level trade studies and design reviews, supporting decision‑making related to the overall system architecture and associated thermal management concepts and approaches.
• Evaluate, select, and procure thermal control hardware, and develop and execute plans for developmental, qualification, and acceptance testing.
• Carry out system‑level and detailed component‑level thermal design, analysis, and testing on a variety of space‑qualified optical and communication systems, as well as their supporting electronics and structures.
• Projects span platform‑, subsystem‑, and component‑level efforts across multiple programs and mission phases.
• The position may involve infrequent travel to meetings and field sites (approximately 10% of the time or less – domestic travel only).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 years experience in Thermal Analysis
• 5 years experience with Thermal Desktop
• 5 years experience in Thermal Engineering
• 5 years experience with Solidworks
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be eligible to obtain an Active Secret Clearance, with ability to upgrade to Top Secret
• Must reside within 100 miles of Lexington, MA

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Thermal vacuum test design and execution
• Experience with Ansys and/or COMSOL

Skills

• Expertise in commercial thermal analysis software (Thermal Desktop required; COMSOL and/or Ansys desired)
• CAD software proficiency (Solidworks)
• Experience with thermal engineering for space and airborne platforms, including orbit‑based thermal analyses and understanding of passive/active thermal control techniques (heat pipes, multilayer insulation, thermal coatings, surface treatments)
• Significant experience