A method of managing thermal energy in a propulsion system includes diverting a flow of bleed air from a compressor section of the propulsion system. An amount of the flow of bleed air diverted from the compressor section is at least 5% of an inlet flow at an inlet of a high pressure compressor of the compressor section. The flow of bleed air is provided to a thermal management system. The flow of bleed air is passed through an expansion turbine of the thermal management system. The flow of bleed air is provided to a thermal load.