Internship - Propulsion Thermal Systems & Aero-Thermal Design

Job Description

At Elysian Aircraft, we are pushing the boundaries of innovation and challenging misconceptions to design, build, and certify the world’s first fully electric regional airliner – the  E9X. Achieving this vision requires breakthroughs in integrated propulsion, high-voltage systems, battery technology, thermal management, and aerodynamic efficiency.

By joining the Propulsion Team, you will work on the thermal management of high-voltage systems and batteries, as well as aero-thermal design and analysis of the integrated propulsion unit. You will collaborate with experienced engineers across propulsion, electric powertrain, battery systems, and aerodynamics, gaining hands-on exposure to real aircraft development challenges while helping to mature critical technologies for electric aviation.

Role Overview

Work on innovative concepts, analyses, and prototypes related to the thermal management and aero-thermal integration of Elysian’s electric propulsion systems.

You will support the design and evaluation of cooling architectures for batteries and high-voltage components, and contribute to the aerodynamic and thermal optimization of the integrated propulsion unit.

Your Day-to-Day

Support the thermal design and analysis of high-voltage systems and battery cooling concepts for electric propulsion.

Contribute to aero-thermal studies of the integrated propulsion unit, including external-internal aerodynamic interaction, heat exchanger integration, ducting, and cooling performance.

Assist with CFD, analytical modeling, and trade studies to explore design options and performance sensitivities.

Help define requirements, boundary conditions, and validation approaches for thermal and aero-thermal simulations and experiments.

Support test preparation, data analysis, and interpretation of experimental results (e.g., wind tunnel or subsystem testing).

Iterate designs, solve engineering problems, and learn from senior engineers in a multidisciplinary environment.

Contribute to internal documentation, knowledge sharing, and development of reusable tools, methods, and workflows.

Traits for Success

We are looking for people passionate about sustainable aviation, climate tech, and disruptive engineering innovation. If you meet most of the following, we would love to hear from you:

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with an interest in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, or propulsion systems.

Strong analytical mindset and curiosity for solving multidisciplinary engineering problems.

Ability to work in a team, communicate clearly, challenge ideas constructively, present results effectively, and write concise technical documentation.

Familiarity with CFD, thermal analysis tools, or scientific programming.

Basic experience with CAD tools and interpreting engineering drawings.

Hands-on mindset; experience with experimental setups, data acquisition, or prototyping is a plus.