Senior Thermal Engineer

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Huntsville, AL · Tactical Recon & Strike : Rocket Motor Systems Engineering : Chief Engineering

Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer for its Rocket Motor Systems group. The role involves performing detailed thermal analysis of solid rocket motor components, sizing insulation, validating models with test data, developing predictive ablation models, defining sub-scale tests, and evaluating materials. The position requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, 8+ years of experience, and strong communication skills. Experience with CAD/FEA software and knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics are necessary. Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree, experience with Abaqus, Python/MATLAB, and expertise in ablation modeling.

What you'd actually do

  1. Perform detailed thermal analysis of solid rocket motor components.
  2. Size internal insulation, external thermal protection systems, and structural insulators.
  3. Validate models with test data; develop predictive ablation and erosion models.
  4. Define sub-scale tests for characterizing material properties of insulators and ablators.
  5. Evaluate and recommend ablative materials and thermal protection system solutions for applications in solid rocket motors

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar
  • 8+ years of relevant professional experience
  • Working knowledge of fundamental heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics first principles
  • Prior experience operating CAD software and/or FEA software
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to travel 10-25%
  • Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Secret Security Clearance

Nice to have

  • Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar with a focus on ablation modeling, computational combustion, or reacting flows
  • Experience with Abaqus FEA software
  • Expertise in engineering tool development in Microsoft Excel, MATLAB, and/or Python
  • Expertise with thermochemical ablation and material response analysis, with an emphasis on ablation in solid rocket motors and/or reentry systems
  • Expertise with ablation modeling tools, such as Hero, CHAR, PATO or similar, and surface chemistry tools, such as ACE or Mutation++

What the JD emphasized

  • 8+ years of relevant professional experience
  • Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Secret Security Clearance