Thermal Engineer – Next‑Generation Aerospace Systems (High-Altitude Platforms)

Location: Albuquerque, NM (Relocation Support Available)
Compensation: Highly competitive + equity options + exceptional benefits
Industry: High‑Altitude Platforms / Aerospace / Advanced Avionics
Clearance: Not required

The Opportunity

Our client is a fast‑growing aerospace company developing next‑generation high‑altitude platforms that deliver satellite‑like capabilities at significantly lower cost and with greater agility. They are the global leader in this niche, with successful flight campaigns and major commercial and government partners as they scale toward commercial deployment.

Due to rapid program acceleration, we are seeking an experienced Thermal Engineer to join the avionics hardware team. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring electronic systems perform reliably within one of the harshest operational environments on Earth-the stratosphere.

This is a high-impact position where your analyses, models, and design decisions directly affect flight safety, mission success, and system reliability.

If you are passionate about advanced hardware, complex thermal challenges, and pushing aerospace technology further than ever before, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead thermal analysis and design for avionics hardware (PCBs, enclosures, integrated assemblies)
• Create & validate analytical and numerical models (conduction, convection, radiation)
• Conduct steady-state and transient thermal analysis to inform design decisions
• Define thermal requirements, margins, and validation criteria for stratospheric environments
• Partner with electrical/mechanical/systems teams to optimize heat dissipation and layout
• Identify and evaluate thermal solutions: heat sinks, TIMs, coatings, passive/active cooling, etc.
• Plan, support, and analyse environmental/thermal testing (TVAC, cycling, environmental chambers)
• Correlate models to test data and iterate design as systems evolve
• Support major technical reviews (PDR, CDR) with documentation & presentations
• Participate in root-cause investigations and corrective action related to thermal performance

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar
• 5+ years in thermal engineering within aerospace, avionics, or high‑reliability electronics
• Deep understanding of heat transfer fundamentals
• Hands-on experience analysing thermal behaviour of electronic hardware
• Proficiency with thermal modelling tools (Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, COMSOL, etc.)
• Experience supporting environmental/thermal testing
• Strong communication skills and cross‑functional collaboration experience

• Hardware development experience from prototype → flight

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision cover (majority employer-paid)
• Equity options after one year of service
• 401(k) with company match
• On-site perks: chef-prepared lunches, snacks, wellness facilities
• Dog-friendly workspace
• Strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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