Thermal Modeling Engineer

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead ground-up thermal design activities for powertrain cooling systems, from concept through implementation
• Design and develop thermal management systems for electric motors, generators, and power electronics in eVTOL applications
• Perform detailed thermal simulations and create analytical models to predict component temperatures and system performance
• Validate simulation models through testing and refine them based on experimental data
• Assist in conducting trade studies to evaluate design alternatives and determine optimal thermal solutions
• Collaborate with mechanical design teams to integrate thermal solutions that meet packaging, weight, and performance requirements
• Lead thermal optimization initiatives across powertrain systems to enhance overall efficiency and performance
• Support thermal testing activities, including test plan development, execution, and data analysis
• Analyze flight test data to verify in-flight thermal performance and identify opportunities for improvement 
• Document design rationale, analysis methodologies, and test results

What You Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field; Master's degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis of complex electromechanical systems
• Strong fundamentals and demonstrated understanding of heat transfer and flow physics, including, conduction, convection and radiation
• Demonstrated experience with ground-up thermal design for high-performance systems
• Experience conducting and supporting engineering trade studies for thermal solutions
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, fluid dynamics, and cooling system design
• Proficiency in thermal simulation software and analytical modeling techniques
• Advanced skills in MATLAB and Python for data analysis and model development
• Comprehensive knowledge of electric motor thermal characteristics and cooling methodologies
• Experience with power electronics cooling 
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a systematic approach to engineering challenges
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace or automotive industries
• Knowledge of eVTOL or electric aircraft thermal challenges
• Familiarity with CFD software and conjugate heat transfer analysis 
• Experience with Lumped Parameter Thermal Network (LPTN) modeling for complex, coupled systems
• Experience with design and testing of liquid cooling systems
• Background in optimizing thermal systems for weight-sensitive applications
• Understanding of regulatory requirements related to powertrain thermal management
• Familiarity with air and liquid cooling solutions, e.g., heat sinks, coldplates, heat pipes

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in laboratory and test environments
• May require occasional travel to test facilities

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.