STAFF THERMAL ENGINEER

STAFF THERMAL ENGINEER

- (775) Job Title

STAFF THERMAL ENGINEER

Location Huntsville, AL 35806 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-Time Career Level Experienced (Non-Manager) Education Bachelor's Degree Security Clearance Required Secret Job Description 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 Staff 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. Job Requirements Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform rigid body and multi-body kinematics and dynamics analyses supporting the design, development, integration, and verification of Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) systems and subsystems.
• Develop, maintain, and execute high-fidelity multi-body dynamics models using MSC ADAMS or equivalent simulation tools to evaluate system performance throughout the mission lifecycle.
• Analyze vehicle, stage, payload, and deployment dynamics to assess loads, clearances, separation events, deployment mechanisms, and overall system behavior.
• Support trade studies, design reviews, and technical assessments by providing quantitative analysis of flight dynamics performance and associated risks.
• Correlate analytical models with component-, subsystem-, and system-level test data to improve model accuracy and support verification and validation activities.
• Collaborate closely with guidance, navigation and control (GNC), structures, mechanisms, aerodynamics, systems engineering, and test organizations to ensure integrated system performance.
• Develop custom analysis tools, automation scripts, and post-processing routines using MATLAB, Python, or equivalent programming languages to improve efficiency and analytical capability.
• Support anomaly investigations, root-cause analyses, and corrective action development related to kinematics and dynamics performance.
• Prepare and present technical reports, briefings, and analysis results to internal leadership, customers, and program stakeholders.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings, peer reviews, and design reviews to ensure compliance with program requirements and engineering best practices.
• Ensure analyses are performed in accordance with established processes, quality standards, and program requirements while maintaining configuration control of analytical models and data products.
• Support proposal development, technology maturation efforts, and future flight sciences initiatives as required.

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• 7+ 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

Security Clearance Requirements:

ACTIVE SECRET

Education Requirements:

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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