Thermal Engineer

Who We Are

Founded in 2020, Ascent is a venture-backed startup building the unifying dashboard for high-intensity, small unit tactics. Our platform informs incident command where their operators are, how they’re doing, & maps the space. This is done through localization of the operator at the scene, reporting biometric data, pre-planning the interior floor design and relaying all this in real time to incident command. During high risk operations, we ensure that incident command has the necessary information to make for more informed decisions & tasks can be accomplished as efficiently and safely as possible.

Ascent offers the opportunity to make a difference in the world by developing technology that helps keep our heroes safe with embedded technology that allows location and health transparency. At Ascent, you’ll work with engineers from all different backgrounds to collaborate on our tech. Turn your passion into practical solutions that will improve the lives of first responders and warfighters.

None of this would be possible without our customers. Since our founding, we have conducted over 1,700 customer discovery interviews with fire departments across the United States. We currently have 22 members on our Fire Chief Advisory Board to help guild us in our mission.

Role Overview

As a member of the team, you will be expected to take full ownership of your role. We are in search of an experienced and committed Thermal Engineer to aid the development of mission critical sensory equipment in severe temperature environments. This role will face novel and exciting challenges in thermal design and the testing of wearable systems in various dynamic stresses. This position will be involved in the design, development and manufacture of the product to market.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineers to design robust, insulating, enclosures for high temperature environments
• Create tests to identify limiting factors in the Mechanical design process from material selection to structural design
• Develop and prototype designs with Mechanical engineering team in order to increase the survivability of helmet mounted sensors and carrier boards
• Define, develop, and utilize hardware/software tools and tests for analysis of thermal performance and mitigation on devices in high temperature environments

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Thermal Engineering or equivalent with at least 2-3 years experience or MS/PhD in related field
• Programming experience in MatLab, Python, or similar programming language
• Industry experience with thermal mitigation strategies in embedded systems, computers, or mobile phones
• Solid understanding of thermal theory and analysis tools related to heat transfer including excellent knowledge of at least one thermal analysis tool
• Basic knowledge of computer hardware, software, and material properties

About Us

Our team is currently 25 members strong. We currently have two offices, one in UIUC’s Research Park and the other in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market. Our Chicago office is located in an old Chicago Fire Dispatch Center, and includes free street parking, access to a gym on site, and a coffee shop. This office is conveniently located near public transportation which includes access to the green, pink, and blue lines as well as various bus stops. You will also receive the following benefits:

• Full Medical, Vision, Dental coverage with additional premium options
• Unlimited PTO. We enforce a two week minimum each year.
• Continued Education Assistance
• 401k match up to 4%
• Company events, social outings, and a stocked office kitchen

Ascent Integrated Tech provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.