Thermal Engineer, Electric Propulsion

Archer is seeking a Thermal Engineer to join our Electric Propulsion team in San Jose, California. As a key member of our engineering team, you will contribute to the development of our all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, focusing on designing and optimizing thermal management systems for electric propulsion components.

In this role, you will develop and maintain models for electric motors, inverters, thermal management systems, gearboxes, and power distribution systems. You will create integrated multi-physics models coupling electrical, thermal, mechanical, and controls domains, and use analysis to inform design decisions and optimize overall propulsion system performance. Additionally, you will design and build thermal test setups to measure system critical temperatures, flow rates, and pressures, and plan and oversee execution of thermal test campaigns, including FAA certification testing related to the thermal system.

The ideal candidate will have a BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, with at least 4 years of experience in thermal design and simulation, preferably within the aerospace or automotive sectors. Strong fundamentals in heat transfer and flow physics, experience with power electronics and electric motor thermal design, and proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and Python are essential. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as StarCCM+, Ansys Fluent, and Ansys ICEpak is also required.

At Archer, we offer a competitive base salary ranging from $172,000 to $225,000, determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that supports and celebrates all team members, providing opportunities for professional growth and development within the rapidly evolving field of electric aviation.