Aerothermal Engineer

About the role

The is a pivotal technical role focused on the conception and execution of thermal protection strategies for next-generation aerospace platforms. This position demands ownership of the full aerothermal workflow, from initial vehicle assessment to the validation of protection systems under extreme conditions. The successful hire will act as the primary technical authority on heat transfer, collaborating directly with clients to convert abstract mission goals into concrete engineering specifications. You will be responsible for developing predictive models that simulate high-speed aerodynamic heating and ensuring these models align with physical test data. The role requires a high degree of autonomy, enabling you to navigate complex, ill-defined problems and deliver comprehensive solutions independently. You will guide projects from feasibility studies through detailed design, analysis, and final implementation support. This position is critical for ensuring that vehicles can survive the intense thermal loads encountered during hypersonic flight and atmospheric reentry.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the definition and development of thermal protection strategies for demanding aerospace applications in the Irvine office.
• Map thermal transmission paths for spacecraft and high-speed vehicles during the earliest stages of the design cycle to identify critical hotspots.
• Create and maintain predictive models using analysis tools to simulate heat transfer and aerodynamic heating in high-speed flight regimes.
• Coordinate closely with TPS design and manufacturing teams to ensure that thermal protection solutions are not only effective but also manufacturable at scale.
• Structure and present technical data for internal stakeholders to clearly communicate performance boundaries, trade-offs, and system-level implications.
• Lead test campaigns and analysis efforts designed to validate vehicle protection systems at hypersonic velocities and during atmospheric entry events.
• Partner directly with customers to define, refine, and lock system specifications that accommodate evolving mission profiles and operational requirements.
• Conduct lead analysis cycles from initial hypothesis formation through detailed modeling to final documented recommendations for defense and aerospace applications.
• Support integration reviews where thermal system choices intersect with broader system constraints, including structural, electrical, and project schedule limitations.
• Liaise with production partners to align manufacturing processes with simulation results, ensuring that prototypes and final products meet thermal performance targets.
• Perform hands-on thermal analysis using industry-standard software to assess material performance under extreme thermal loads and radiation conditions.
• Develop technical documentation that captures methodologies, assumptions, and results to ensure knowledge retention and team scalability.
• Evaluate emerging materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance the thermal resilience and durability of protection systems.
• Act as a technical liaison between engineering, program management, and customer teams to ensure alignment on thermal performance goals.

Requirements

• United States citizenship is mandatory for this position due to the sensitive nature of the defense and aerospace work.
• A baseline engineering degree is required, with demonstrated competency in thermal analysis specific to aerospace applications.
• The candidate must bring a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience within hypersonic or space system domains.
• Hands-on proficiency with heat transfer modeling software is a non-negotiable requirement for success in this role.
• You must possess the proven ability to define requirements for Thermal Protection Systems in high-stakes, demanding operational environments.
• The role requires the capability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple technical deliverables.
• You must be comfortable making technical decisions in the absence of direct instruction, especially when project scopes are ambiguous.
• A strong aptitude for learning complex systems and quickly adapting to new technical challenges is essential for long-term success.

Nice to have

• Experience with entry, descent, and landing (EDL) analysis is highly preferred for candidates with a background in planetary missions.
• A background in developing materials or solutions for extreme thermal conditions provides a significant competitive advantage.
• Familiarity with the unique challenges of planetary entry scenarios, including atmospheric composition and variable entry angles, is valued.

Practical notes

This engagement is full-time and based in Irvine, California. The role requires U.S. citizenship and the successful verification of citizenship and professional credentials prior to finalization of the offer.