Ablative Thermal Analyst - Remote

X-Bow Systems; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

X-Bow Systems is seeking an Ablative Thermal Analyst to support design, analysis, testing, and qualification of insulation for rocket motors and flight profiles. The role focuses on thermal response analyses of ablative materials under severe heating and aerothermal conditions.

You will collaborate with materials, structural, ballistic, manufacturing, test, and systems engineering teams to deliver reliable thermal solutions, maintain models, and contribute to documentation and reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/ mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, or related field.
• Experience with heat transfer, thermodynamics, thermal analysis or materials.
• Experience with at least one programming environment such as Python or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Develop one-dimensional and multidimensional thermal analyses for ablative insulation systems.
• Evaluate material response: recession, charring, pyrolysis, heat soak, temperature distribution.
• Translate internal combustion and aerothermal environments into analysis inputs.
• Build, modify, and maintain computational models.
• Correlate predictions with arc-jet, furnace, radiant heating or flight data.
• Perform sensitivity studies, uncertainty assessments and design trade studies.
• Support material screening, sizing and testing.
• Support design reviews and material review boards.
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, presentations, and verification materials.
• Collaborate with test engineers to plan instrumentation and objectives.
• Support root-cause investigations and process improvements.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermal analysis

Materials science

Programming (Python/MATLAB)

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, physics, or materials science

Master's degree (preferred) or relevant project/research

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Fortran

C++

Job description

X-Bow Systems is seeking an Ablative Thermal Analyst to support design, analysis, testing, and qualification of insulation for rocket motors and flight profiles. The role focuses on thermal response analyses of ablative materials under severe heating and aerothermal conditions.

You will collaborate with materials, structural, ballistic, manufacturing, test, and systems engineering teams to deliver reliable thermal solutions, maintain models, and contribute to documentation and reviews.