Senior Thermal Engineer

Role Overview

• Actively participate in the design, fabrication, and assembly of thermal protection hardware, including but not limited to cutting and sewing materials used for space and aerospace applications.
• Perform comprehensive thermal modeling and analysis of flight subsystems and systems, including related thermal hardware, while collaborating closely with customer subject matter experts.
• Develop thermal models of active and passive thermal designs using a mixture of numerical solutions and hand calculations of spacecraft systems, subsystems, avionics, and mechanisms that predict temperature margins in a variety of thermal space environments.
• Develop thermal verification test plans, procedures, and support test activities, monitor and correlate test results to model predictions.
• Participate in thermal hardware testing campaigns and qualifications including periods of off-hours or on-call work.
• Work closely with other subject matter experts to define requirements, iterate through design concepts, and demonstrate overall system performance.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to reduce thermal risk by identifying the constraining elements of a thermal design and recommend mitigation strategies from the concept level to design, production, and operation.
• Conduct thermo-mechanical design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Document analyses and designs including inputs, methods, and results as needed for presentation at design and test reviews and for hardware implementation.
• Prepare technical documents and presentations to present the results of analysis and tests to Managers, Customers, and/or Stakeholders.
• Interface with Program, Engineering, and Customer teams on thermal design, performance, and test issues and support other teams/disciplines, as necessary.
• Develop tools to support concept trade studies and post-processing analysis.
• Support Business Development activities, including proposals, white papers, and requests for information.
• Effective communication with Production, Machining, Maintenance, and Quality departments to ensure timely delivery.
• Capability to improve KPIs: safety, quality, on-time delivery, and efficiency.
• Collaboration skills with Engineering and Contracts personnel on hiring, performance reviews, and promotions.
• Ability to participate in recruitment efforts and support 5-S, health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
• Competence in performing cross-functional operations and maintaining a clean work area.

Requirements

• Minimum of two-four+ years of direct experience working on aerospace and space sectors as thermal subject matter expert.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience of thermal design management, surface optical treatments, cut and sow thermal protection systems including but not limited to insulation material (MLI), and composite and additive manufactured ceramic heat shields used in aerospace and space applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or other related field from an accredited organization.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop or other similar tools accepted in the industry is necessary.
• Experience developing detailed thermal and simplified thermal models for spacecraft and rocket systems, subsystems, and components including associated thermal hardware (active and passive).
• Experience with process development, as pertains to thermal analysis methods, testing methods, or model correlation.
• Knowledge of environmental requirements, engineering, thermal vacuum/ambient pressure testing, including use of data acquisition systems.
• Must possess an understanding of the basic principles of radiation and conduction and convection heat transfer in conjunction with space environment heating effects and parameters associated with spaceflight applications.
• Deep understanding of orbital mechanics and thermal design considerations with respect to launch environment, MEO, LEO, GEO, and other orbits.
• Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar.
• Proficiency with computational scripting languages (MATLAB, Python, Mathematica, etc.).
• Meticulous and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a powerful desire to be a leader/key contributor on a small team.
• Highly responsible collaborator with a cheerful outlook and excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Solid foundation and familiarity with applicable industry standards and literature including but not limited to SMS-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000 and Space Mission analysis and Desing (SMAD).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD US Government Secret security clearance.

Tech Stack

• Assembly
• Python

Benefits

• Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Discretionary bonuses