Experimental Aerothermodynamics Engineer

amainc; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid personal leave

Federal holiday leave

401(k) with immediate vesting

Tuition reimbursement

Disability plans

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) seeks an Aerothermodynamics Engineer to support NASA Ames Research Center in the Entry Systems and Technology Division. The role involves on-site high-enthalpy testing in the EAST and related facilities at NASA Ames, Mountain View, CA.

Competitive salary range of $135k–$160k depending on experience. The position emphasizes experimental campaigns, optical diagnostics, material-response measurements, and precise data handling in a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field.
• Strong background in experimental techniques for fluid mechanics.
• Experience using scientific programming or scripting languages for engineering analysis and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Planning and execution of experimental campaigns in high-enthalpy test facilities.
• Development and operation of optical diagnostic techniques and detectors.
• Measurement techniques for material-response characterization (pyrometry, radiometry, infrared imaging).
• Configuration and synchronization of experimental hardware and data-acquisition equipment.
• Documentation of procedures, configurations, calibrations, and test results.
• Coordination of activities with facility personnel and researchers.

Skills

Experimental techniques

Scientific programming

Technical documentation

Collaboration

Linux environments

Education

Master's degree or higher in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Python

Fortran 90

C++

Job description

Job Description

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. is seeking an Aerothermodynamics Engineer to support the Aerothermodynamics branch (Code TSA) within the Entry Systems and Technology Division at NASA Ames Research Center. The selected candidate will support high enthalpy testing in the Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) and other experimental facilities at NASA Ames Research Center. This is an onsite role and the salary range is $135k-$160k, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Planning and execution of experimental campaigns in high-enthalpy ground-test facilities, including shock tubes, plasma wind tunnels, and comparable aerothermodynamic test environments.
• Development, integration, and operation of optical diagnostic techniques, including optical emission spectroscopy, laser and broadband absorption spectroscopy, using intensified, infrared and high-speed detectors.
• Development, integration, and operation of measurement techniques for material-response characterization, including pyrometry, radiometry, infrared imaging, emissivity and recession measurements.
• Configuration, control and synchronization of experimental hardware, optical systems, spectrometers, cameras, lasers, instrumentation, and data-acquisition equipment for time resolved measurements.
• Documentation of experimental procedures, facility conditions, instrument configurations, calibrations, assumptions, uncertainties, and test results.
• Coordination of experimental activities with facility personnel, collaborators and researchers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
• Strong background in experimental techniques for fluid mechanics through academic research, thesis work, internships, or professional employment.
• Experience using scientific programming or scripting languages for engineering analysis and data processing.
• Ability to document technical work and communicate experimental results clearly. Track record of publication of research findings in reputed international conferences and journals.
• Ability to collaborate across experimental, computational, diagnostic, and multidisciplinary research teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Analysis of experimental datasets using image processing, signal processing, visualization, and comparison of experimental measurements with numerical predictions.
• Interpretation, validation and investigation of thermochemical non-equilibrium phenomena, including radiative, kinetic and gas-surface interaction processes, using experimental data and numerical simulations.
• Demonstrated ability to model aerothermodynamics, radiation, and gas-surface interaction phenomena with first principles knowledge of fluid dynamics, physical chemistry, thermodynamic and transport processes.
• Ability to use Linux-based computing environments, scientific programming languages such as Python, Fortran 90, and C++.

Employment Eligibility

This position is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and eligible foreign nationals whose country of birth and current citizenship are not included on NASA's Designated Countries List (https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control/). Employment is subject to U.S. work authorization and approval for access to NASA Ames facilities and systems.

About Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA)

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions.

We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to

• Paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave
• Salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting
• Tuition reimbursement
• Short/long term disability plans
• A variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options

Professional Development

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn .

AMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status,