Thermal Engineer - Aerospace Systems

Analytical Mechanics Associates•Hampton, VA

21h

About The Position

The Thermal Engineer supports NASA research involving aerothermodynamics, materials and structures, and propulsion systems analysis. The role may also support other government agencies and their partners on national and international programs. The engineer interfaces with NASA affiliates, other government agencies, national and international organizations, and Integrated Product Teams with participants from NASA, government, academia, and industry. The work includes analyzing external flows and heat transfer, applying results to spacecraft and vehicle design, predicting thermal instrumentation responses, and integrating experimental results with analytical models. The engineer also contributes to the development of advanced high-temperature thermal protection materials using additive manufacturing, prepares assembly, integration, and test procedures, and presents technical reports, analyses, and briefings to stakeholders.

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 balance analyses 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 and true-enthalpy propulsion blow-down and pulse-type test facilities.
Experience with Python programming or similar.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools.
U.S. citizenship is required; U.S. Persons are 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 material selections.
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, including through additive manufacturing techniques.
Generate assembly, integration, and test procedures.
Prepare and present technical reports, engineering analyses, and project briefings to management and stakeholders.
Interface with NASA affiliates, other government agencies, national and international organizations, and Integrated Product Teams.