Company Overview:

At Elysian Aircraft, we're not just building a company; we're crafting a vision for the future of aviation. With the sky as our canvas, we see endless possibilities on our journey. Supported by industry leaders and global organizations, our mission to create the aircraft of the future is already taking flight. We are building a team of passionate, creative, and ambitious individuals to help redefine the way the world flies.

Role Mission:

The Thermal Engineer will play a critical role in the development, validation, and integration of advanced thermal management systems for Elysian Aircraft's next-generation battery-electric aircraft. This role requires a deep understanding of thermodynamic principles, internal flow, systems modelling, and the interaction between complex aircraft systems. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit to support the development of a lightweight and energy-efficient thermal management system.

Your Day to Day:

Thermal System Design and Modelling:

• Design and optimize thermal management systems and components, including single-phase and two-phase cooling loops, heat exchangers, and venting systems.
• Develop and validate detailed physics-based models to predict complex system performance, such as battery packs, under various operating conditions.
• Simulate fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena using a multi-fidelity approach leveraging in-house physics-based models and CAE.
• Assess reliability of alternative architectures and compliance to aerospace standards by means of FMEA and FHA.
• Stay current with emerging thermal management technologies and trends in electrified aviation.

Simulation and Analysis:

• Conduct transient and steady-state 1D and 3D aerothermal simulations to assess system-level performance and validate component integration.
• Analyze thermal interactions between electrical powertrain, energy storage system, avionics, and cabin environments.
• Perform trade studies to balance system efficiency, weight, drag, reliability, and complexity.

Testing and Validation:

• Support the development of test plans, instrumentation setups, and test procedures for thermal management systems.
• Analyze test data to calibrate models and improve system performance.
• Participate in environmental testing, including thermal cycling and altitude simulation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with propulsion, battery, airframe, and aircraft systems teams to ensure integrated thermal solutions.
• Contribute to design reviews and architecture discussions providing a perspective on thermal management systems.
• Interface with suppliers and external partners for component sourcing and co-development.

Success Factors:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred).
• 2+ years of experience in thermal systems engineering, preferably in aerospace or automotive applications.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and system simulation tools such as Python, Modelica and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Proficiency with CAE and CFD software such as Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM and Star-CCM+.
• Knowledge of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermal system design.
• Experience with hardware testing and validation of thermal systems.