Thermal Analyst

Job Title: Sr Mechanical Analyst - Structural and Thermal Analysis!
Job Description
This role provides technical leadership in mechanical analysis for complex electronic systems across a broad portfolio of aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space programs. You will perform high-quality structural and thermal analyses, guide design optimization, and support both local and remote programs. The position offers the opportunity to work with advanced technologies, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute directly to mission-critical systems that support national security and public safety.
Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and deliver high-quality mechanical analysis support to locally based programs as well as other programs across the broader electronic systems portfolio, including remote support as needed.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute analysis activities in collaboration with program engineers and program leadership, ensuring alignment with technical requirements, schedules, and program objectives.
• Perform structural analyses using both classical hand-calculation methods and finite element methods to evaluate modal response, random vibration, shock, and static structural performance.
• Perform thermal analyses, including steady-state and transient heat transfer evaluations, to ensure robust thermal performance and compliance with requirements.
• Create detailed finite element models (FEM) at levels ranging from sub-components to full system assemblies using Siemens Simcenter 3D/NX, NASTRAN, Ansys Mechanical, and Ansys Icepak.
• Post-process and interpret finite element analysis results to assess structural and thermal performance, identify risks, and propose design improvements.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, and other engineering disciplines to optimize system designs and ensure robust, integrated solutions across the full product portfolio.
• Document analysis methods, assumptions, models, results, and conclusions in clear, professional reports and presentations suitable for internal and external stakeholders.
• Present analysis findings, design recommendations, and risk assessments to internal teams and external customers in a clear and concise manner.
• Mentor and coach less experienced engineers and part-time analysts, providing technical guidance, feedback, and support to help develop their skills.
• Review analysis work products from other team members to ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to standards and best practices.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive team culture by communicating effectively, maintaining a positive attitude, and supporting cross-functional teamwork.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in mechanical analysis or a closely related field.
• Proven experience performing modal analyses of structures to evaluate natural frequencies and mode shapes.
• Proven experience performing random vibration analyses to assess structural response under vibratory environments.
• Proven experience performing shock analyses to ensure structural integrity under transient loads.
• Proven experience performing static structural analyses to evaluate stresses, margins of safety, and deflections.
• Experience performing steady-state heat transfer analyses to evaluate temperature distributions and thermal margins.
• Experience performing transient heat transfer analyses to assess time-varying thermal behavior.
• Hands-on experience creating and analyzing finite element models using Siemens Simcenter 3D/NX.
• Hands-on experience using NASTRAN for structural finite element analysis.
• Hands-on experience using Ansys Mechanical for structural analysis.
• Hands-on experience using Ansys Icepak for electronics cooling and thermal analysis.
• Strong understanding of structural analysis principles, including classical methods and finite element methods.
• Strong understanding of thermal analysis principles, including conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer.
• Clear and effective oral communication skills for technical discussions and presentations.
• Clear and effective written communication skills for documenting methods, results, and conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team in both on-site and remote collaboration environments.
• Eligibility to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability systems where structural and thermal performance are critical.
• Familiarity with electronic warfare systems, radar and sensor technologies, autonomous platforms, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced communications or intelligence systems.
• Experience supporting multiple programs or business units and providing remote analysis support across geographically distributed teams.
• Experience leading small technical teams or task groups, including planning work, coordinating resources, and ensuring quality of deliverables.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or analysts and reviewing their technical work products.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate complex analysis results into clear design recommendations.
• Comfort working in a large, matrixed organization with cross-functional career paths and opportunities for rotation across programs.
• Interest in ongoing professional development through technical training, leadership development, and cross-functional assignments.
• Eligibility for required security clearance processes.

Work Environment
The position follows a 9/80 work schedule, which typically provides every other Friday off, supporting work-life balance while maintaining support for long-term, multi-year programs. You will work in modern engineering facilities equipped with advanced analysis tools and software, including Siemens Simcenter 3D/NX, NASTRAN, Ansys Mechanical, and Ansys Icepak. The environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a strong team culture, where employees share ideas, support each other, and contribute to mission-driven projects that impact national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure. Opportunities exist to sit at several engineering centers across the United States, including locations in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, California, Indiana, and New York. The organization supports career growth through technical training, leadership development, and cross-functional mobility, providing a stable setting with exposure to advanced technologies across air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. Dress expectations align with a professional engineering environment and may vary slightly by site, but generally support a business-casual standard suitable for on-site laboratory and office work.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Austin, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $110.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Austin,TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 24, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.