ABOUT THE TEAMThe Thermal Engineering team's work is essential to support our rapid innovation cycle and maintain the performance and reliability of advanced defense technologies. Thermal Engineers own the full development life cycle from conceptual design through ground testing and flight test analysis, ensuring high-performance, resilient systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.
WHAT YOU'LL DO- Thermal design and analysis of unmanned air vehicles at conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design maturities
- Define thermal system architectures and material selection strategies for vehicles operating in demanding flight environments
- Thermal analysis of flight vehicles using CFD, FEA, and engineering methods
- Material response modeling under combined thermal and mechanical loads
- Transient thermal analysis for time-varying mission profiles
- Ground test planning, execution, and analysis in specialized thermal test facilities
- Flight test planning, execution, and post-flight thermal data analysis
- Use first principles and MATLAB/Python models to inform design decisions
- Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, electrical, and systems engineers on integrated solutions
- Present thermal status at formal reviews internally and with customers
- Prepare formal documentation (specifications, test procedures, technical reports)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS- MS or higher degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics with focus on heat transfer and fluid dynamics
- In-depth understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and high-temperature environments
- 15+ years of experience in aerospace thermal engineering on rocket, aircraft, or missile programs
- Experience with thermal analysis in high-speed flight regimes
- Thermal analysis experience using CFD (STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent) and/or FEA thermal solvers
- Experience with thermal-structural coupling
- Ground testing experience with thermal instrumentation and data acquisition
- Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar for tool development
- Experience preparing formal documentation
- CAD experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX
- Passion for defending the United States and her allies
- Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Experience with material response modeling in extreme thermal environments
- Knowledge of material degradation and surface phenomena under demanding conditions
- Experience with specialized thermal ground test facilities
- Experience with chemical kinetics and finite-rate chemistry modeling
- Flight test experience including instrumentation design and post-flight analysis
- Experience with thermal-structural analysis codes (NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical)
- Material characterization experience at elevated temperatures
- Experience with manufacturing and assembly of thermal systems
- Active U.S. security clearance
US Salary Range
$191,000-$275,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Healthcare Benefits - US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
- UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
- IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.
Additional Benefits- Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
- Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
- Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
- Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
- Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development
- Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region.
- Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.
Retirement Savings Plan - US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
- UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
- AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.
The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
