Thermal Analysis Engineer

Mclaurin Aerospace • Houston, TX

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Mclaurin is hiring a Thermal Analysis Engineer for its JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The role supports NASA deep-space exploration efforts through thermal analysis, design support, verification, and collaboration across the engineering lifecycle. The position has been advertised at multiple levels, and the level considered may depend on the candidate’s experience, requirements, and business needs.

The engineer will develop and maintain simplified through high-fidelity thermal models; analyze spacecraft components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle configurations under steady-state and transient conditions; and evaluate thermal performance across mission phases and off-nominal scenarios. The role also supports thermal testing, model correlation, design reviews, requirements compliance, and integration with systems engineering, mission operations, and hardware development teams. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and able to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Typically, 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area.
• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, or similar industry-standard software.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles and spacecraft thermal environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple technical disciplines.
• Ability to assess and validate thermal designs for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Typically, 5–10 years of relevant engineering experience.
• At least five years of direct engineering experience with a BS degree in engineering.
• Familiarity with NASA Johnson Space Center organizations, processes, and procedures.
• Experience with PTCS or ATCS hardware design, analysis, testing, certification, or operations.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop.
• Proven experience performing thermal analysis and design for aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with the Engineering Life Cycle and requirements verification processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines.
• Strong leadership, including fostering collaboration, driving clear technical direction, and contributing to a culture of accountability and high-quality engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain simplified to high-fidelity thermal models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and related tools.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses for spacecraft components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle configurations.
• Evaluate thermal performance across ascent, cruise, lunar orbit, surface operations, and off-nominal scenarios.
• Perform thermal sensitivity studies supporting vendor vehicle designs, government-furnished equipment (GFE) designs, or requirement development.
• Support thermal verification and validation, including test planning, thermal vacuum testing, data analysis, and model correlation.
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize PTCS and ATCS architectures.
• Provide guidance on thermal design considerations and ensure compliance with NASA requirements and best practices.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and anomaly investigations.
• Review NASA and vendor thermal designs for technical accuracy and requirements compliance.
• Document analysis results, prepare technical reports, and present findings to internal stakeholders and NASA customers.
• Support integration with systems engineering, mission operations, and hardware development teams throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous PTO
• 401(k) after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance, if applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level