Cooling System Engineer

Position Overview

At Nidec Aerospace, we believe that innovation begins with dreams – ideas that transform what once was only envisioned into reality. As the world’s leading electric motor manufacturer, Nidec is now taking its technology to new heights in the aerospace market. As a Cooling System Engineer, you will apply your expertise in thermal management to design electric propulsion systems for battery-powered aircraft, supporting the industry’s transition to sustainable, net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Key Responsibilities

• Thermal System Development: Lead the conceptualization, design, and testing of innovative cooling systems for high-power electric motors and drives, including the selection of appropriate cooling methodologies, materials, and components.
• Thermal Analysis & Simulation: Conduct detailed thermal analysis and simulations (e.g., CFD, FEA, 1D models and hand calculations) to predict and optimize the thermal performance of electric propulsion systems under various flight conditions.
• Requirements Definition & Validation: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define thermal requirements, set performance targets, and ensure compliance with stringent aerospace standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Testing & Verification: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for thermal systems at component, sub-system, and full-scale levels, analyzing test data to identify improvements.
• Supplier Management: Work with external suppliers and partners to select cooling components, materials, and technologies that meet technical specifications, quality standards, and cost targets.
• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Diagnose and resolve thermal-related issues during development, testing, and in-service operation, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare detailed technical documentation—including design specifications, analysis reports, test procedures, and certification data—and present findings to stakeholders.
• Innovation & Research: Stay current with advancements in thermal management technologies and proactively explore new concepts to enhance system performance and efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in thermodynamics, heat transfer, or fluid dynamics.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in thermal management system design and analysis, preferably in the aerospace, automotive (electric vehicles), or power electronics industries.
• Proficiency in CFD and/or FEA software for thermal analysis.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics and heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation) and their application in complex systems.
• Experience with flow and thermal network models and corresponding tools (e.g., Simscape, Amesim, GT-Suite or similar).
• Experience with thermal testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, and post-processing.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and certification processes (e.g., SAE Aerospace Standards, FAA regulations).
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to perform root cause analysis and develop effective solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with thermal management of high-power electric motors, inverters, or battery systems.
• Experience with air cooling for rotating machinery.
• Knowledge of advanced cooling techniques (e.g., two-phase cooling, jet impingement, microchannel cooling).
• Experience with CAD software for mechanical design and integration.
• Familiarity with system-level modeling and simulation.