Thermal Systems Engineer II (Multi-Layer Insulation)
About The Position
The Thermal Systems Engineer II will work in JPL’s Thermal, Propulsion and Materials Engineering Section as a member of the Thermal Fluid Systems & Hardware Group, reporting to the Group Supervisor. The role focuses on thermal system design and hardware development, assembly, and testing, primarily involving Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and Single Layer Insulation (SLI) blankets and soft goods for spacecraft temperature control and energy management. The engineer will support the MLI Lead Engineer and collaborate with JPL and partner engineers, technicians, project customers, and subsystem teams. Work includes blanket design and fabrication support, material selection and traceability, flight-hardware installation logistics, technical reviews, project cost and schedule support, and design trades. Assignments may take place at JPL facilities, other U.S. and international partner or manufacturer facilities, and launch pads. Extensive travel is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a similar discipline and at least 3 years of related experience; or a master’s degree in a similar discipline and at least 1 year of related experience; or a Ph.D. in a similar discipline with 0 years of related experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of heat transfer (radiation, conduction, and convection), fluid mechanics, numerical methods, engineering design, and engineering laboratory work.
- Demonstrated understanding and application of standard principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in heat transfer, particularly fundamental radiation heat transfer principles, thermal engineering, and fluid mechanics.
- Experience and/or education in managing plans and coordinating logistics.
- Experience with MLI/SLI materials and soft-goods use.
- Experience with computer-aided design.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Willingness to travel extensively to support MLI installations across the country and internationally.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working on hardware with engineers and technicians in a laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with thermal balance tests for instruments or spacecraft.
- Familiarity with thermal environments for system development.
- Familiarity with typical instrumentation and ground support equipment used in thermal tests.
- Ability to work independently and take responsibility for hardware development from design through integration and testing.
- Experience with thermal software such as Thermal Desktop, TMG, TSS/SINDA, or NX Space Systems Thermal; mechanical CAD such as NX, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks; and/or MATLAB or LabView.
Responsibilities
- Design custom SLI and MLI blankets from requirements in support of the MLI Lead Engineer.
- Work with the Lead MLI Engineer to use computer-aided design for blanket patterns.
- Support patterning, fabrication, bake-outs, delivery, and installation of flight MLI/SLI in a cleanroom environment.
- Work with JPL and partner thermal system engineers to guide thermal SLI and MLI material selection, design, and implementation.
- Oversee material traceability, including tracking blanket shop supplies and flight-certified materials, processing material charges, material recertification, part numbers, and procurement.
- Coordinate blanket technicians’ access and logistics for flight hardware, including payloads and spacecraft, with the MLI Lead Engineer.
- Support planned logistics and technician support for assignments at JPL facilities, U.S. spacecraft and payload manufacturers, international partner facilities, and launch pads.
- Prepare technical design and test review presentations and close review action items.
- Support MLI costing and scheduling for flight projects.
- Support the MLI Lead Engineer in completing significant projects and assignment milestones.
- Support design trades that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
- Build trusting relationships among project customers, team members, the Lead MLI Engineer, and line management.
- Partner with subsystem engineers to complete interface agreements.
- Develop and maintain extensive knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision plans
- Wellbeing and retirement plans
- Paid time off
- Learning opportunities
- Rideshare
- Childcare
- Flexible schedule
- Parental leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
