Contract Thermal Analyst - Propulsion

EVONA; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is seeking a senior Thermal Analyst to own the thermal analysis behind solid rocket motor propulsion programs, from early design trades through to static-fire correlation. You’ll work on motor cases, nozzles, insulation and igniters, taking a loosely defined problem and delivering robust results with minimal oversight.

You will model transient heating, assess ablative materials, provide loads to structural models, and correlate predictions to test data.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of thermal analysis experience.
• Thermal analysis of solid rocket motor hardware or hot-gas propulsion.
• Experience with transient thermal modeling using major tools.

Responsibilities

• Run thermal analysis on solid rocket motor hardware: motor cases, nozzles, closures, igniters and insulation
• Model transient heating from hot combustion gases, including convective and radiative heat transfer
• Analyze ablative and charring insulation and nozzle materials, including char depth, erosion and bondline temperatures
• Provide thermal loads into structural models and support coupled thermal-structural analysis
• Correlate thermal models to static-fire and thermocouple test data and feed findings back into design
• Write analysis reports and present results in design reviews
• Work across design, materials and test teams to set thermal requirements and margins

Skills

Thermal analysis

Self-directed

Clear communication

Senior-level experience

Education

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

Thermal Desktop/SINDA

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

A space & defense company is hiring a Thermal Analyst onto its solid rocket motor propulsion programs. You’ll own the thermal analysis behind motor and nozzle hardware, from early design trades through to static-fire correlation.

This is an immediate need. They want a senior analyst who can take a loosely defined problem, make sound assumptions, build the right thermal model and stand behind the result without being walked through it.

What you’ll be doing

• Run thermal analysis on solid rocket motor hardware: motor cases, nozzles, closures, igniters and internal insulation
• Model transient heating from hot combustion gases, including convective and radiative heat transfer
• Analyze ablative and charring insulation and nozzle materials, including char depth, erosion and bondline temperatures
• Provide thermal loads into structural models and support coupled thermal-structural analysis
• Correlate thermal models to static-fire and thermocouple test data and feed findings back into design
• Write analysis reports and present results in design reviews
• Work across design, materials and test teams to set thermal requirements and margins

What you’ll need

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 10+ years of thermal analysis experience
• Thermal analysis of solid rocket motor, nozzle, insulation or other hot-gas propulsion hardware
• Strong transient thermal modeling (Thermal Desktop/SINDA, ANSYS, Abaqus or similar)
• Experience with ablative, charring or high-temperature materials
• Self-directed, comfortable owning analysis with minimal oversight in a fast-paced environment
• Clear communication in design reviews and written reports
• US-based and eligible to work on ITAR-controlled programs

Nice to have

• Thermal-structural or stress analysis experience (one person covering both is ideal)
• Ablation codes such as CHAR, CMA or similar
• Missile, interceptor or hypersonic thermal/TPS experience
• Liquid rocket engine thermal analysis (thrust chamber, regen or film cooling)
• Hardware taken through qualification and static-fire testing
• Open to converting to a permanent role after the contract