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Thermal Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Apple Thermal team is looking for a Thermal Engineer to contribute to the design and definition ... MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with emphasis on Heat Transfer or Fluid Mechanics is preferred.

Requirements * BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or a related thermal fluids field * Strong foundation in thermal engineering and thermal analysis of complex systems ...

Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical ... Experience with thermal analysis of satellites and related materials including interface ...

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with a focus on heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermal sciences, or thermal systems. * 2+ years of ...

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. * 5+ years of experience designing thermal systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles and/or high-power and ...

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with a focus on heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermal sciences, or thermal systems. * 2+ years of ...

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. * 5+ years of experience designing thermal systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles and/or high-power and ...

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical background. * 6+ years of thermal simulation for semiconductor packages or electronic systems, including ...

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant engineering or computation field plus 8-10 years, MS plus 6-8 years, or PhD plus 3-5 years of professional experience in thermal engineering positions. * 3+ ...

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical background. * 6+ years of thermal simulation for semiconductor packages or electronic systems, including ...

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Thermal Phd information

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$43.5K

$104.5K

$167.5K

How much do thermal phd jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for thermal phd in the United States is $104,528.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Thermal PhD?

A Thermal PhD refers to a doctoral degree specializing in thermal sciences, which is a branch of engineering or physical sciences focusing on heat transfer, thermodynamics, and energy systems. Students pursuing a Thermal PhD typically conduct advanced research on topics such as heat exchangers, thermal management, renewable energy, or thermal materials. Graduates often work in academia, research institutions, or industries like aerospace, automotive, and energy, contributing to innovations in thermal technologies and energy efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Thermal PhD?

To thrive as a Thermal PhD, you need advanced knowledge in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, typically supported by a doctorate in mechanical or thermal engineering. Proficiency in simulation software such as ANSYS, MATLAB, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, as well as experience with laboratory instrumentation, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills are vital for conducting research and sharing findings. These skills enable innovation, accurate analysis, and successful collaboration in addressing complex thermal engineering challenges.

What are some common research challenges faced by Thermal PhD students and how can they overcome them?

Thermal PhD students often encounter challenges such as designing accurate experiments for complex thermal systems, handling large sets of simulation data, and keeping up with rapidly evolving computational tools. Overcoming these obstacles typically involves collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams, seeking mentorship from experienced faculty, and staying updated on the latest research literature. Additionally, strong project management skills and persistence are essential to navigate setbacks and maintain steady progress throughout the doctoral journey.

What is the difference between Thermal Phd vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectThermal PhdMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field, specialized in thermal systemsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsManufacturing, design firms, industry settings
Industry UsageResearch, academia, advanced R&D projectsProduct design, system optimization, manufacturing

The main difference between a Thermal Phd and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their focus and experience. A Thermal Phd specializes in advanced research and theoretical aspects of thermal systems, often working in academia or R&D. In contrast, a Mechanical Engineer applies engineering principles to practical design and manufacturing tasks. Both roles require a background in mechanical engineering, but the Phd emphasizes research and specialization.

What are popular job titles related to Thermal Phd jobs?

For Thermal Phd jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Thermal Phd job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,528 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

2027 PhD Graduate - Aerospace & Thermal Engineering

Laurel, MD • On-site

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 hours ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Description
Are you ready to put your aerospace & thermal engineering skills to work solving critical challenges related to the defense of our nation and our service members?
Are you passionate about thermal/aerothermal and aerodynamic design for rocket motor systems, including hypersonic flight and advanced propulsion?
If so, then you are exactly the type of candidate we are looking for! We are seeking highly motivated teammates to join our dynamic group of engineers and scientists. As part of our multidisciplinary team you will work in a highly collaborative and engaging environment.
We are currently looking for candidates to join the Aerospace & Thermal Engineering group that have expertise in:
  • Aerodynamics, aeroacoustics & computational fluid dynamics
  • Wind tunnel testing; in-silo, restrained fire, and flight testing of rocket motors
  • Reacting multi-phase flows, non-equilibrium flows & fluid/structure interactions
  • Combustion, thermochemistry, ablation & surface chemistry
  • Thermal & aerothermal analysis, design and test
  • Multi-waveband sensor modeling & scene generation
  • Software architecture, GPU computing & physics-based algorithm development

Our engineers and scientists collaborate closely to find solutions for challenging thermal environments such as in-silo rocket launch, thermal protection systems for hypersonic speeds, and turbulent combustion in detonation engines. At the opposite extreme, we have worked on spacecraft, lunar infrastructure, and systems deployed in Antarctica. All of these environments create challenges not only in thermal and aerodynamic design and testing, but also in predictive modeling.
Our computational physicists, software architects and high performance computing experts are continually evolving state-of-the-art modeling and simulation capabilities to guide design, prototype development and testing of kinetic weapons systems. They are at the cutting edge of scene and signature generation in simulating performance of the infrared, optical and radio frequency sensors that detect such systems.
Our sponsors mandate us to solve today's problems with the best methods available today, but we strive to also look forward - to anticipate new engineering challenges and new opportunities. Our group sustains an energetic community of innovators. Current efforts include work in rotating detonation engine technology development, new thermal protection system materials, electric propulsion for space applications, and spatiotemporal methods for GPU-based modeling of turbulent combustion and hypersonic boundary layers.
We collaborate with other groups across the lab in nearly all we do, and regularly work with subject matter experts in external academic and defense communities - to consult, to employ state-of-the-art testing capabilities and to partner in developing new hardware technologies and software methodologies.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or a related field.
  • Are an expert in one of the following areas: aerodynamics and fluid analysis, thermal/fluid modeling, heat transfer, thermochemistry, combustion, hypersonic thermal design, infrared scenes, signatures and related software development.
  • Are a motivated self-starter with excellent communications skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If you are selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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