Specialist, Aerospace Engineer (Thermal Analysis)

L3Harris Technologies•Rancho Cordova, AL

3d•$88,500 - $164,500

About The Position

The Specialist, Aerospace Engineer (Thermal Analysis) uses technical expertise in thermal and fluids analysis of solid rocket motor (SRM) components and systems to support solid rocket propulsion objectives. The role applies advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts to complete computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal analyses for SRM systems, and contributes to developing innovative principles, ideas, and analytical methods. It addresses complex technical challenges and sensitive issues requiring ingenuity and innovation; solutions may establish precedents for future decisions. The position leads complex projects with general oversight and drives designs from conceptual through detailed design. It performs initial sizing and verification using hand calculations, detailed thermal analysis using proprietary aerothermal tools, and CFD analysis using commercial software. The role also supports static-fire testing through pre- and post-test analysis, and defines instrumentation and processes data for production, bench, and full-engine qualification activities. The role is based in Huntsville, Alabama, or Sacramento, California, follows a 9/80 schedule, and involves 10% travel. The employee must be able to obtain a U.S. secret security clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of prior thermal design experience; or a graduate degree and at least 2 years of prior thermal design experience; or, in lieu of a degree, at least 8 years of prior thermal design experience.
Ability to obtain a U.S. secret security clearance.
Travel requirement of 10%.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
Active U.S. secret security clearance.
Strong skills applying heat transfer and fluid dynamics to propulsion systems.
Understanding of solid rocket motor function and design.
Experience coding in Fortran and scripting with Python or Matlab.
Hands-on experience manufacturing solid rocket motors.
Experience with CEA, CMA, Thermal Desktop, Fluent, or CFD++ software.
Ability to parse large amounts of data for analysis.

Responsibilities

Lead complex projects and work with general oversight.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including program offices and chief engineers, and with external customers.
Drive design from the conceptual phase through detailed design.
Use hand-calculation methods for initial sizing and verification.
Perform detailed thermal analysis using proprietary codes based on aerothermal tools such as ACE, gasket, and CMA to predict temperatures and assess ablation of SRM insulators and other hardware components.
Execute CFD analyses using commercial codes such as ANSYS Fluent to support thermal analysis and SRM design.
Support tests with pre- and post-test analysis of static-fired motors for model validation.
Define rocket motor test instrumentation and process data for production, bench, and full-engine qualification activities.