Job Description

We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.

All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.

Job Summary

The sky is no longer the limit as Nidec takes its technology off the ground and into the Aerospace market. As a Cooling System Engineer with the Nidec Aerospace team, you will have the opportunity to apply and develop your expertise to design electric propulsion systems for the battery-powered aircrafts that will enable the world to sustainably and efficiently get from point A to point B.

Nidec is the world’s leading electric motor manufacturer and a true pioneer in electrification across a wide array of industries since its foundation in 1973, ranging from appliance, energy infrastructure, to ground transportation. Nidec Aerospace is a newly created Joint Venture between Nidec and Embraer which intends to take a leading role in the Electrification of Aircrafts. We are well-positioned and excited to support the aerospace industry in its ambitious transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The ideal candidate will embody Nidec’s key pillars of Passion, Enthusiasm, and Tenacity with their passion to learn, enthusiasm to exceed market expectations, and tenacity to solve complex technical issues. From ideation to production, you will work with a diverse and experienced team of design engineers to support aerospace industry leaders and spearhead technological advances in transport decarbonization.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Cooling System Engineer to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development of thermal management solutions for electric engines and drives in cutting-edge aeronautical applications, including design, analysis, optimization, tests and certification. This role requires a deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer principles, coupled with practical experience. The engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and longevity of our electric propulsion systems by maintaining critical components within their optimal operating temperature ranges.

Location: São Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil / Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Key Responsibilities

• Thermal System Development: Lead the conceptualization, design, and tests of innovative cooling systems for high-power electric motors and drives. This includes selecting 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 and operational scenarios. This involves assessing heat loads, temperature distributions, and cooling efficiencies for different methods of heat extraction.
• Requirements Definition & Validation: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define thermal requirements, establish performance targets, and ensure that cooling solutions meet stringent aerospace standards and regulatory compliance.
• Testing & Verification: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for thermal systems, including component-level, sub-system, and full-scale propulsion unit testing. Analyze test data, correlate with simulation results, and identify areas for design improvement and optimization.
• Supplier Management: Work closely with external suppliers and partners to evaluate and select cooling components, materials, and technologies, ensuring they meet technical specifications, quality standards, and cost targets.
• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Diagnose and resolve thermal-related issues during development, testing, and in-service operation. Implement effective corrective actions and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, analysis reports, test procedures, and certification data. Present findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Innovation & Research: Stay abreast of the latest advancements in thermal management technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes relevant to electric propulsion. Proactively identify and explore new concepts and solutions to enhance cooling system performance and efficiency.

Qualifications

Minimum 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.
• 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 conduct root cause analysis and develop effective solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage 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.

Additional Job Details

Technical – T3

Organizational Impact
• Works to achieve operational, functional, and/or business targets within team with direct and indirect impact on departmental or job family results, using practical technical principles
• Intermediate-level technical contributor; generally works independently under moderate supervision and may seek advice of more senior employees in the same area
• Failure to achieve results requires allocation of additional resources to meet goals and impacts project completion with the potential for additional financial expense.
• Works on smaller, less complex projects/assignments
Communication & Influence
• Communicates with employees typically within the department and/or job family, explaining and interpreting matters related to the department; may communicate with external clients or partners depending upon the job area
• May influence employees within own job area at an operational level
Innovation & Complexity
• Responsible for making minor improvements to technical/business processes, procedures, or systems to contribute to the performance of the team
• Problems faced may be difficult but are not complex, requiring application of technical skills/analysis drawing from prior experiences, and typically involve consideration of multiple issues and impact job family and/or multiple teams
Leadership & Talent Management
• May provide guidance, help with training and review work of entry-level employees
• May lead parts of less complex projects or processes
Knowledge & Experience
• Requires understanding of basic context and practical knowledge of technical and business environment as well as potential and upcoming technical advances within area of specialization, typically obtained through advanced education and relevant experience
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

Work Shift Schedule

No Soliciting

Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.