Electric Propulsion Thermal Lead

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.

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 thermal design and analysis team focused on electric propulsion thermal architecture development while contributing domain expertise individual contributor work
• Lead ground-up thermal design activities for electric motors, generators, and power electronics in eVTOL applications, including concept through implementation
• 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

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications

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