Lead Thermal Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Thermal Engineer

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Up to 50% travel to Moriarty, NM

About the Opportunity

LHH is partnering with a cutting-edge aerospace organization developing next-generation, high-altitude platforms used for communications, imaging, and remote-sensing applications. These platforms operate in extreme stratospheric environments and support a range of commercial, environmental, and defense missions.

We are seeking a Lead Thermal Engineer with demonstrated, hands-on experience designing, analyzing, and validating thermal systems for advanced aerospace vehicles. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in fast-paced R&D environments and who brings proven expertise supporting thermal decisions that directly impact mission performance and system reliability.

About the Role

As the Lead Thermal Engineer, you will be responsible for developing thermal strategies and ensuring the reliable performance of avionics, structures, payloads, and propulsion-adjacent systems operating at high altitudes. This position requires strong applied thermal engineering experience, sound technical judgment, and the ability to collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines.

You will serve as a trusted technical advisor, driving thermal control system development and supporting hardware throughout design, test, integration, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize active and passive thermal control systems for high-altitude aerospace platforms
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses using analytical and numerical approaches
• Develop, validate, and maintain thermal models to predict system behavior under stratospheric and mission-specific conditions
• Conduct trade studies and support material selections for insulation, coatings, radiators, and thermal interface materials
• Define thermal requirements, operating limits, and margins for avionics, batteries, payloads, and structural components
• Support environmental testing including thermal vacuum, altitude simulation, and temperature cycling
• Evaluate test data, correlate with thermal models, and recommend design refinements
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineering leaders to resolve thermal challenges
• Prepare detailed documentation covering design analyses, test reports, and compliance with engineering standards
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field
• 5-10 years of hands-on experience in thermal analysis and thermal system design for aerospace or high-altitude flight vehicles
• Practical experience supporting thermal management for drones, UAS, HAPS, or similar platforms
• Proven ability to independently own thermal analyses and provide sound recommendations to engineering leadership
• Strong applied understanding of conduction, convection, and radiation in low-density/high-altitude environments
• Experience developing and correlating thermal models with tools such as ANSYS, Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, or similar
• Experience supporting hardware through design, test, integration, and operational readiness (not only theoretical/academic work)
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, R&D-driven aerospace environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills
• Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Direct experience with stratospheric platforms, long-duration unmanned systems, or high-altitude vehicles
• Hands-on experience with thermal vacuum testing or environmental qualification campaigns
• Knowledge of lightweight structures, composites, or advanced aerospace materials
• Experience supporting flight-critical, mission-critical, or certified hardware

What We Offer

• The hiring organization provides an exceptional work environment built around innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being:
• Onsite chef-prepared lunches
• Snacks and refreshments available throughout the day
• Access to wellness amenities including gym facilities, pickleball court, and outdoor dog area
• Dog-friendly workplace
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, disability) with generous employer contributions
• 401(k) with company match
• A high-performance culture where your work directly shapes the future of aerospace technology

Pay Details: $120,000.00 to $170,000.00 per year

Search managed by: Megan McQuay

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

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