Senior Thermal Analyst

As our Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in bringing our rocket systems to life. This role will focus on taking parts from concept to production with detailed component and assembly-level analysis including hand-calculations, FEA models, and testing, ensuring components meet specifications. From mechanical structures (like thrust structures) to electromechanical designs to thermal protection (like heatshields, leading edges), you will ensure that every structure is designed for manufacturability, minimal mass, and high performance.

Your analysis, in close collaboration with the design, avionics and fabrication teams, will form the backbone of our rocket’s success.

LEAP is transforming space logistics with rapid-response, mass producible launch solutions designed to eliminate bottlenecks in space access. Leveraging proprietary propulsion technology and modern manufacturing techniques, LEAP delivers scalable and cost-effective, launch solutions for national security, commercial payload deployment, and global point-to-point logistics applications.

As our Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in bringing our rocket systems to life. This role will focus on taking parts from concept to production with detailedcomponentand assembly-level analysis including hand-calculations, FEA models, and testing, ensuring components meet specifications. From mechanical structures (like thrust structures) to electromechanical designs to thermal protection (like heatshields, leading edges), you will ensure that every structure is designed for manufacturability, minimal mass, and high performance.

Your analysis, in close collaboration with the design, avionics and fabrication teams, will form the backbone of ourrocket’ssuccess.

Own

Core Responsibilities:

• Identify and solve technical challenges with speed
• Own the sizing of thermal protection systems for all components
• Calculate aerodynamic loads, heatfluxand thermal gradients for the analysis team
• Ensure thermalmarginsof safety calculations meet mission needs
• Develop test plansfor
  
  Thermal/TVAC/Wind Tunnel,select instrumentation,monitor test activities, and document test data
• Supportqualificationtestingin the lab and correlate models with test results
• Produce & rapidly iterate mechanical conceptsdesignsusing structural, thermal, and/or fluids analysisforflight vehicles, engines,and avionics
• Define and documentthermaldesign requirementsand subcomponent specifications
• Select and order thermal products that meet mission requirements
• Prepareanalysispackages & technical reports
• Provide correlated models and test resultstothe team

Impacts and Outcomes

• Yourflightanalysis, in close collaboration withthe design, avionics and fabrication teams, will form the backbone of our rocket’s success
• Your ownership of aerodynamic/thermal analysis and products through the design and testing phases of programs will directly support mission success
• Working within established performance standards (quality, safety, schedule, reliability,financial impact) will ensure a high-quality product,on-timeand within budget, supporting the company’s finance sand ability to continue growth at a rapid pace
• By performing analysis, you willidentifyrisks early in the design phaseand mitigate riskswith smart DFX choices and testing

What You Bring to the Team

• Mechanical, Aerospace, or similar engineering degree from an accredited university
• 6-10yearsanalysisexperience, ideally in an Aerospace environment
• Competence inCAD/CAEsoftware such as NX, FEMAP, Nastran, ABAQUS, Fluent,TMG or Thermal Desktop
• Experience with andexpertisein thermal products & sizing
• Experience with instrumentationselectionfor
  
  Thermal andTVAC testing
• Knowledge of COTS thermal products such as MLI, radiators,phase-changematerialsorheat sinks
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, high-accountability environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of products
• Organized, detail-oriented approach to work and documentation
• Familiarity with industry standards
• Ability to learn new tools, systems, or domains as needed

Bonus Points

• Experience in…