2027 Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

aero; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer (Senior Member of the Technical Staff or Member of the Technical Staff) with strong heat transfer expertise to support classified and unclassified spacecraft programs. The role is on-site at Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA, enabling leadership in thermal design and analysis for space vehicles.

You will perform analysis, modeling, simulations, and testing, contribute to requirements, and mentor teams of 2+ engineers, with travel ~10%

Qualifications

• Master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences (recent or within last 12 months).
• 0–1 year of industry work experience.
• Experience with spacecraft thermal control systems and heat transfer modes.
• Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop; other software listed is a plus.
• Willingness to travel ~10% and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis, modeling, simulation, and testing of spacecraft thermal control subsystems.
• Review and develop thermal requirements, allocations, designs, integration, and flight operations.
• Provide technical leadership to teams and mentor 2+ engineers.
• Engage with internal and external customers to resolve thermal design issues.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermal engineering

Thermal control

Thermal analysis

Team leadership

SINDA/FLUINT

Thermal Desktop

Python

CAMEO

Education

Master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering (heat transfer emphasis)

Tools

SINDA/FLUINT

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

SpaceClaim

CAMEO

FORTRAN

Python

TSS

EES

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Thermal Control Department is a team of experienced, trusted engineers with deep expertise in the design and analysis of spacecraft thermal control systems from component to system level. The department performs technical studies, experimental investigations, and real time assessments to inform and enable key decisions by our customers and their contractors.

We are looking for a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer (Senior Member of the Technical Staff / Member of the Technical Staff - Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering ) with a strong background in the disciplines of heat transfer and thermal engineering and their applications to space systems; and direct experience in thermal design and control of spacecraft. The successful applicant will support both classified and unclassified spacecraft programs with emphasis on classified systems. They will engage and advocate for the best solutions, best practices, and best innovations for critical thermal control issues across the enterprise, both inside and outside Aerospace.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Key customers are internal program offices representing defense and civil agencies, such as the U.S. Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and others
• You will engage with impact with these internal and external customers to identify, track, and resolve design, workmanship, and performance issues relating to space vehicle and payload thermal control subsystems
• You will deliver results as the thermal subject matter expert in thermal control systems for spacecraft and payloads. Lead and conduct analysis, modeling, simulation, experimental investigations, and assessments of designs and design concepts relating to spacecraft thermal control systems and their components. Participate in and review thermal subsystem requirements, allocations, design, integration, test, and flight operations
• You will operate strategically, curating department knowledge and capabilities in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis and design, and/or thermal control hardware
• You will provide thermal engineering technical leadership of teams of 2 or more people in support of programs, inter-department projects, and broad engagement efforts
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university program in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 year of industry work experience
• Experience with the design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of spacecraft thermal control systems for all relevant modes of heat transfer, both active and passive, and through multiple phases of program lifecycle
• Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop software; other applicable software include TSS, EES, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO, and scripting languages such as FORTRAN and Python
• Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycle, and other environmental test programs
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer or contractor facilities approximately 10% time
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Transcripts

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in mechanical or aerospac