Senior Thermal Engineer

SENIOR THERMAL ENGINEER

Igniters operate in the world’s most demanding environment. Igniters are self‑motivated, mission‑driven, and relentless in solving the Warfighters’ hardest problems. We move fast, think differently, and execute with precision to tackle high‑stakes challenges across AI/ML, space and missile defense intelligence, EMSO, advanced analytics, and programmatic domains. As an employee‑owned SDVOSB headquartered in Huntsville, AL, our team delivers mission‑critical impact for the Army, Air Force, Space Force, MDA, NASA, DIA, and FBI.

Ignite exists to outpace the threat and deliver results that matter in the moments that count.

Ignite is currently seeking a driven, detail‑oriented Senior Thermal Engineer to join our team supporting the NGI Program in Huntsville, AL. As a member of the thermal engineering team, you will support high‑fidelity thermal analyses across missile components, subsystems, and fully integrated systems — including ground support equipment — throughout the entire lifecycle.

• Owning end‑to‑end thermal modeling strategy using tools such as NX, Simcenter, SINDA/Fluent, and Thermal Desktop
• Developing preliminary hand calculations and reduced‑order models to inform early design trades before advancing to detailed simulations
• Accounting for all relevant heating environments — conduction, convection, radiation (solar, Earth IR, albedo), aerodynamic heating, free molecular heating, and transient mission effects
• Translating program requirements into actionable thermal design criteria and verification strategies
• Driving thermal support for Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and environmental testing, including instrumentation strategy and data correlation
• Partnering across structures, materials, propulsion, manufacturing, and quality to develop producible, cost‑effective thermal solutions
• Coordinating TPS design, material selection, and component‑level thermal integration

This is a highly collaborative, fast‑paced environment where your technical judgment and leadership will directly influence system‑level performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• 3+ years of experience in thermal/thermofluids analysis (thermophysics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, etc.)
• Experience using industry‑standard thermal analysis tools such as NX/Simcenter, Thermal Desktop, SINDA, ANSYS
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills grounded in mechanical engineering fundamentals
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, thus US Citizenship is required

• Experience modeling complex missile or aerospace thermal environments in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) across full mission profiles
• Expertise in integrating transient and steady‑state data from cross‑functional teams into high‑fidelity models
• Experience coordinating with test teams to define instrumentation plans, conditioning approaches, and correlation strategies
• Proficiency performing 1D models and first‑principles calculations (bulk temperatures, backside temperatures, ablation, erosion, etc.)
• Experience influencing material selection and TPS design from a thermal performance perspective
• Strong executive‑level communication skills with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

ACTIVE SECRET

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM Discipline

We are equal‑opportunity/affirmative‑action employers, committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under state or local law.

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