Thermal Analysis Engineer III

Axiom Space•Houston, CA

About The Position

Axiom Space is seeking a Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer (Level III) to help build AxEMU, a next-generation spacesuit for NASA and commercial partners. The engineer will own thermal design and analysis for assigned suit components, including the Portable Life Support System (PLSS), Pressure Garment System (PGS), and related EVA hardware. The role involves developing and running thermal models, supporting testing, and presenting results that inform design decisions and help certify the suit for human spaceflight. The engineer works with limited supervision on well-defined problems and escalates ambiguous or cross-cutting issues to senior technical staff. Responsibilities span component and suit-level thermal analysis, CFD, requirements compliance, model validation, testing, verification, documentation, and collaboration with design teams, vendors, and other stakeholders. The work is generally performed in an office environment, though tasks may involve indoor or outdoor work. The position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology and additional screening for eligibility. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones. Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods and lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, plus 4 or more years of relevant thermal engineering experience.
Thermal analysis experience on human-rated or crewed hardware.
Proficiency with thermal modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, Ansys, or equivalent, including layered and soft-goods geometries.
Strong foundation in conduction, radiation, and convective heat transfer, and comfort with hand and spreadsheet calculations.
Experience with thermal testing and thermal math model validation.
Working knowledge of CAD software such as SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, or similar.
Excellent written and verbal communication, including technical reports and presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
Sound judgment, ability to work independently, and instinct to escalate ambiguity at the right time.
Strong time management and ability to deliver high-quality work against tight deadlines.
Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.
Final candidates may be required to undergo export control screening to determine eligibility for access to export-controlled technical data or technology.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Spacesuit thermal analysis experience.
CFD experience, such as Ansys Fluent or equivalent.
Passion for space and the mission.
Entrepreneurial, growth mindset.
High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally.
Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster.
Competencies in accountability, technical rigor, execution discipline, and pride of delivery.

Responsibilities

Own thermal design and documentation for assigned AxEMU components, contributing to the overall suit thermal design.
Develop, validate, and maintain detailed thermal models of the PGS, PLSS, and other assemblies across mission phases and operating conditions using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent tools.
Run system-level thermal models and integrate subsystem results into suit-level analyses.
Perform CFD analysis of assigned thermal-fluid problems and deliver clear, usable results to the design team.
Demonstrate compliance with program requirements, human-rated design standards, and mission objectives through thermal analysis.
Integrate vendor and cross-functional inputs, including power dissipation, material properties, and interface conditions, into models and resolve discrepancies with responsible teams.
Support thermal vacuum and human-in-the-loop testing, including test planning, instrumentation recommendations, execution support, and model-to-test correlation.
Support verification and validation, investigate anomalies, and drive assigned items to closure.
Write analysis reports, analysis packages, and requirement verification artifacts for internal reviews and customer milestones.
Present results and design recommendations at design reviews and technical interchange meetings, with guidance from senior staff on higher-visibility reviews.
Collaborate across teams and keep stakeholders informed with regular project updates.
Perform additional job duties as assigned.