Senior Thermal Engineer

Position SummaryMainstream Engineering is looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer to develop advanced thermal management technologies for military, government, and commercial applications. This is an R&D-focused role for an engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems, working with hardware, and turning ideas into real products.Our thermal engineers don't simply perform analysis and hand off their work. You can take an idea from concept to prototype to testing to production. You'll have the opportunity to identify new technologies, develop proposals around your ideas, design and build experimental hardware, perform testing, analyze results, interact directly with customers, and help transition successful technologies into production.Our current work includes thermal systems for hypersonic vehicles, high-power laser systems, and power-dense aerospace platforms, with a focus on reducing size, weight, and power while improving system performance.You'll have the opportunity to work with technologies including:Microchannel coolingAdditively manufactured 3D cooling passagesSingle-phase pumped fluid loopsVapor compression and other refrigeration cyclesRadiation thermal managementHeat exchangers and electronics coldplatesThermal energy storageOscillating heat pipesAdvanced experimental cooling techniquesYour creativity and curiosity can help determine what we investigate next.What You'll DoLead thermal engineering projects from concept through prototype, testing, and productionDevelop innovative thermal management solutions for challenging real-world applicationsPerform analytical calculations involving heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanicsDevelop and evaluate computational models using CFD and FEA toolsDesign, build, instrument, and test experimental hardwareDevelop laboratory test plans and analyze experimental dataWork with temperature, pressure, flow, and other instrumentation and data acquisition systemsCollaborate directly with customers to understand requirements and develop solutionsPrepare technical proposals and develop new R&D conceptsSupport design for manufacturability and transition of successful technologies into productionResearch emerging thermal technologies and identify opportunities for new product developmentWhat We're Looking ForWe're looking for engineers who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and excited by difficult technical problems.Required:Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace EngineeringMinimum of a 3.3 for all completed degrees10+ years of professional engineering experienceStrong understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanicsHands-on laboratory, prototype, or experimental testing experienceExperience developing thermal systems, components, or technologiesAbility to independently lead technical projects and solve complex engineering problemsU.S. Citizenship due to ITAR requirementsPreferred:Experience with data acquisition systems; LabVIEW experience is a plusExperience with CFD and/or FEA; ANSYS/FLUENT experience is a plusExperience designing and testing thermal management systemsExperience working with aerospace, defense, or other high-performance systemsExperience taking R&D concepts through prototype development and into productionWhy This Role Is DifferentYou won't be limited to one piece of the engineering process.At Mainstream Engineering, our engineers have the opportunity to research, design, build, test, analyze, present, and manufacture their ideas. If you see a better way to solve a problem, you have the opportunity to investigate it.If you're the type of engineer who would rather build and test something than just talk about it, this could be a great fit.Join a team where your technical curiosity can become the next technology we develop.Mainstream Engineering Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.Job type: