Senior Thermal CAE Specialist

Here at Scout Motors, we’re carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960, one that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and will do so once again. Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.

The Scout brand is all about respect—respect for the environment, the past and future, communities, and for both work and play. At Scout Motors we empower our inclusive, entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? A visionary and a leader who seeks new paths, shares lessons learned, collaborates across the company, and brings unrivaled passion.

$/yr - $/yr

We are seeking a skilled and innovative Thermal Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in thermal management, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and system simulation, particularly in automotive applications such as high‑voltage batteries, HVAC systems, and electric vehicle (EV) platforms. The role involves cross‑functional collaboration, simulation analysis, and validation to enhance thermal performance and efficiency of our products.

• Lead CFD simulations to analyze thermal efficiency, pressure drops, and flow dynamics in automotive components such as cooling plates, drive units, and battery packs.
• Collaborate with product development teams to design, optimize, and validate thermal architectures for electric vehicles.
• Work closely with offshore teams to manage simulation processes, including model setup, execution, and results analysis, ensuring compliance with performance and quality standards.
• Provide insights from digital twin simulations to guide the design and development of next‑generation cooling systems and heat exchangers for electric vehicles.
• Document technical results from simulations and develop comprehensive reports for design improvements and validation processes.
• Support testing and validation of thermal components.
• Develop technical documentation for CFD analysis and simulation results, providing insights for design improvements.
• Interface with cross‑functional teams, including hardware, software, and product design, to resolve issues and improve system performance.

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Novi, Michigan.
• Attendance in office with in‑person meetings and events is required.
• The role may require occasional travel to participate in events on behalf of the company.

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Eight or more years of proven experience in leading CFD simulations for automotive applications, including HVAC systems, high‑voltage batteries, and heat pump technology.
• Strong proficiency in CFD software such as Simlab, Hyperworks, StarCCM+, etc.
• In‑depth understanding of thermal systems engineering, including heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with industry‑standard CAD tools such as CATIA and Pro
  
  E.
• Experience in collaborating with suppliers and internal teams to develop cost‑effective solutions for thermal management.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to work in cross‑functional environments.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with experience mentoring team members.

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

This is a full‑time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program…