Aerospace Engineer (Entry Systems)

Analytical Mechanics Associates•Mountain View, CA

5d•$125,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

Job Description: AMA is accepting applications for an on-site position at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. Work will be in support of the Entry Systems and Vehicle Development Branch, part of the Entry Systems and Technology Division at NASA. The successful candidate will play an important role in the direct application of technologies and capabilities to analyze, design, develop, test, evaluate, manufacture, certify, and operate atmospheric Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems. Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options. AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws. Thank you for your interest in a career with AMA! AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. With over 60 years of experience, Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options. AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws. Headquartered in Hampton, Virginia; with operations in Maryland, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, and California, AMA is a small business with a wide reach.

Requirements

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering or Masters with 3-5 years of experience
Experience with aerothermal modeling tools and computational methods
Systems engineering experience with complex aerospace systems
Familiarity with entry system dynamics, trajectories, and mission design
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and lead technical teams
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required due to project requirements

Nice To Haves

Experience with inverse heat transfer methods and thermal data analysis
Experience with specific aerothermal codes (DPLR, etc.)
Experience with planetary entry missions (Mars, lunar, or other destinations)
Familiarity with NASA standards and processes for entry systems
Background in uncertainty quantification and validation methodologies
Experience with commercial space vehicle development
Knowledge of arc jet testing facilities and procedures
Experience with flexible thermal protection systems (FTPS)
Background in thermocouple data analysis and surface heating reconstruction

Responsibilities

Reconstruction surface heating profile from surface thermocouple data
Refinement and release of novel inverse heat transfer methods for post-flight reconstruction and analysis of atmospheric entry aeroheating
Instrumentation design, build, and test for ground test campaigns
Thermal response modeling of FTPS materials in support of design and arc jet testing
Planning and execution support for FTPS arc jet testing
Support for free flight CFD and dynamics discussions
Instrumentation design, build, and test for ground test campaigns
Support for flight test recovery operations
Technology transfer and collaboration with commercial partners on entry system technologies
Mentoring junior staff and interns on TPS-related projects