Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems - Ranger (R6350)

Team: X-BAT Engineering - Mechanical

Location: Seattle, Washington

Commitment: Full Time Employee

Workplace Type: onsite

Job Description:

What you'll do:

Architecture and Trades: Lead ECS architecture definition and trade studies (e.g., vapor cycle vs. air cycle vs. passive/ram-air systems) to meet vehicle thermal, electrical, mass, and volume constraints.
Aerothermal and Circuit Design: Design and analyze vehicle air inlets, scoops, ducting networks, and ram-air cooling circuits to ensure adequate flow across flight envelopes.
Thermal and Fluid System Sizing: Perform first-principles thermodynamic and heat transfer hand calculations, backed by 1D fluid-thermal network modeling.
Component Sourcing and Vendor Management: Author technical specifications and statements of work (SOW) for ECS hardware (heat exchangers, fans, valves, compressors, sensors), evaluate vendors, and drive supplier technical execution.
Test and Validation: Define qualification and verification test plans, design test rigs, support instrumentation/DAQ setup, and execute test campaigns to validate performance against requirements.
Flight Test and Troubleshooting: Process flight-test thermal and fluid data to identify discrepancies, resolve anomalies via root-cause investigation, and implement rapid design changes.

Required qualifications:

Experience: 7 to 12 years of direct experience in aerospace Environmental Control System and vehicle thermal/fluid system development.
Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Core Fundamentals: Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer applied to aircraft or defense systems.
Modeling and Analysis: Demonstrated capability with 1D system modeling (e.g., Amesim, Flowmaster, or Python/MATLAB fluid networks) and ability to size systems from inlets to ram circuits to liquid cooling systems, air cooling systems, and more.
CAD and PLM: Experience in 3D CAD modeling, routing, and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or equivalent like CATIA/Creo) with PLM workflows.
Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups.
Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
Clearance eligible

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with aerospace environmental requirements and test standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-310, RTCA DO-160, SAE AIR/ARP standards).