Thermal Design Engineer

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

As a Thermal Design Engineer, you will join our engineering team to support our activities within the aerospace propulsion sector. 

You will lead thermal design, heat transfer, and secondary flow engineering activities for advanced gas turbine systems. Working across the full product lifecycle, you will be responsible for the analysis and optimisation of rotating and stationary turbomachinery components, while also providing technical leadership, customer engagement, and team development support within a global engineering environment.

• Location: Derby
• On Site: Hybrid
• Clearance: Clearable
• Experience Level: Junior to mid (2-6 years of experience)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute heat transfer, thermal analysis, and secondary flow design activities for gas turbine components
• Develop and maintain thermal analysis methodologies across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases
• Perform thermal and thermo-mechanical assessments of engine components and subsystems
• Build, evaluate, and improve thermal models to support product development and operational performance
• Interpret analysis results and provide clear engineering recommendations to stakeholders
• Lead root cause investigations and design improvement initiatives relating to thermal performance and component durability
• Collaborate with mechanical, aerodynamic, performance, and design engineering teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions
• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation, analysis reports, and design review packages
• Support non-conformance assessments, concessions, and technical investigations related to gas turbine components
• Act as a technical authority within the organisation, providing guidance and mentorship to engineering teams
• Manage technical delivery, customer engagement, and project execution activities
• Support recruitment, career development, and engagement of engineering team members
• Identify growth opportunities and contribute to technical proposals and business development initiatives

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in thermal design, heat transfer, and secondary flow analysis for gas turbine or turbomachinery applications
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and thermal management systems
• Experience performing thermo-mechanical analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Ability to independently lead complex technical investigations and engineering projects
• Experience interpreting and validating thermal performance data
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and technical communication abilities
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams and global organisations
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and mentor engineers

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Significant experience in thermal analysis and design of gas turbine engine components
• Experience supporting products through development, validation, and in-service support activities
• Demonstrated expertise in thermal and secondary flow systems within aerospace propulsion environments

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as SC03, SK22, SPAN, or equivalent platforms
• Familiarity with aero engines and associated engineering processes
• Experience supporting non-conformance assessments, technical variations, and concession activities
• Knowledge of turbine cooling systems, secondary air systems, and thermal protection methodologies
• Experience leading customer-facing engineering activities and technical reviews
• Background in engineering consultancy, OEM, or aerospace propulsion programmes

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

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