Thermal Engineer - Aerospace Systems

Analytical Mechanics Associates•Hampton, VA

About The Position

The Thermal Engineer will support NASA research involving aerothermodynamics, materials and structures, and propulsion systems analysis. The role may also support work for other government agencies and their partners on national and international programs. The engineer will coordinate with NASA affiliates at other government agencies and organizations, and with Integrated Product Teams involving NASA, government entities, academia, and industry. The position includes conducting aerothermodynamic and heat-transfer analyses, applying results to spacecraft and propulsion-system design, and developing thermal protection materials and strategies. The engineer will also support testing and instrumentation, prepare integration and test procedures, and communicate technical findings through reports, analyses, and briefings. Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is an aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions company headquartered in Hampton, Virginia, with operations in several locations. AMA describes its work environment as engaging, collaborative, and supportive, and emphasizes employee professional growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering, Thermal Sciences, Physics, or a relevant technical discipline.
Demonstrated use of Pointwise, GridPro, HeldenMesh, and Tecplot.
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermal-control principles.
Experience conducting thermal and power balances of propulsion systems, including heat-exchanger design, propellant-feed and pressurization systems, and thermal analysis.
Experience performing ground tests, including conventional supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic wind tunnels, true-enthalpy propulsion blow-down facilities, and pulse-type test facilities.
Experience with Python programming or similar.
Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite.
U.S. citizenship is required; U.S. persons may be permissible for some positions.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing Structural, Thermal and Optical Performance (STOP) analysis.
Proficiency with thermal-analysis and modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, MATLAB, or equivalent software.
Experience with thermal-vacuum testing, environmental testing, and model-correlation activities.
Knowledge of spacecraft thermal-control systems, aircraft thermal systems, advanced materials, or hypersonic-vehicle thermal environments.
Experience in material characterization using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Laser Flash (LFA), or Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Responsibilities

Perform external-flow analyses to determine aerothermodynamic loads on spacecraft, re-entry vehicles, high-speed aircraft, wind-tunnel models, and other research platforms.
Perform heat-transfer analyses for propulsion systems, payloads, fluid transport, and actively cooled systems.
Apply analysis results to the design of leading edges, thermal protection systems, heat-mitigation strategies, and materials selection.
Predict thermal instrumentation responses, including thermocouples, heat-flux sensors, and radiometers, and integrate experimental results with models to characterize thermal environments.
Identify, develop, and design advanced high-temperature thermal-protection materials using additive manufacturing techniques.
Generate assembly, integration, and test procedures.
Prepare and present technical reports, engineering analyses, and project briefings to management and stakeholders.
Support NASA research and work for other government agencies or their partners, coordinating with NASA affiliates and Integrated Product Teams.