Thermal Analysis Engineer

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

About the role

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon.

We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies

We are looking for you to join our team as a Thermal Analysis Engineer based out of Linthicum, MD.

What You’ll Get to Do

The thermal design team supports programs across the sector, including the airborne, ground mobile, ground stationery, and surface based naval applications, and across a variety of length scales ranging from ECS systems, sensor and radar systems, chassis, CCAs, and device levels.

• Design advanced electronics thermal management solutions using heat transfer principles to optimize thermal performance
• Perform electronics thermal analysis, requiring experience in heat transfer, including liquid cooled, air-cooled, two-phase flow, and refrigeration thermal solutions for Mission Systems platforms such as airborne, ground based, and naval applications
• Lead thermal designs by owning thermal requirements, thermal architecture, and thermal performance of the design, while mentoring less experienced thermal engineers
• Provide oral and written presentations to internal and external customers and stakeholders

This position is contingent upon the ability to obtain an active US Government Secret Clearance or the successful transfer of an active US Government Secret Clearance prior to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Thermal Analysis Engineer

Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of experience, Master’s degree with 0 years of experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance.
• Ability to work onsite daily at the Linthicum, MD (Baltimore area) facility.
• A current/active clearance is not required to be considered for the position, but a final clearance is required to start
• 2 years of experience in electronics design with emphasis on thermal analysis and optimization of mission‑critical electronics systems (e.g., airborne, ground, or maritime platforms).
• 2 years of experience applying thermal engineering principles to challenging air cooled, liquid cooled, and conduction cooled hardware in high power density environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance.
• Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics.
• Hands‑on experience (2+ years) with one or more of the following tools: ANSYS Icepak, ANSYS Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Fluent, or similar electronics cooling / thermal analysis codes.
• 2+ years leading the end‑to‑end thermal design of hardware for defense platforms (airborne, ground mobile, ground stationary, or naval), from requirements definition through verification.
• Proven experience advising programs on system‑level thermal trades and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams (systems, mechanical, RF, electrical, reliability) from concept through detailed design.
• 2+ years of experience designing hardware to meet transient thermal conditions
• Experience advancing next‑generation electronics thermal management solutions (e.g., high heat‑flux interfaces, two‑phase or advanced convective cooling, compact high‑power electronics).
• Knowledge of advanced convective and two‑phase thermal management for high heat‑flux / high power‑density applications, including analytical, high‑fidelity numerical, and experimental methods.
• Prior experience leading thermal design at multiple levels of integration (system, chassis, CCA, and microelectronics) for defense or aerospace hardware.
• Experience planning and executing thermal design verification testing, including correlation of analysis to test data and updating models based on results.

Pay and benefits

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following

Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range

$87,600.00 - $131,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.