Thermal Analysis Engineer

Barrios Technology; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An engineering solutions provider is seeking a Thermal Analysis Engineer in Houston, Texas. This role involves developing and verifying thermal control systems for NASA's human spaceflight missions. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and 2-5 years of experience with thermal analysis tools. Strong communication skills and collaboration abilities are essential. The position offers a chance to work on cutting-edge aerospace projects while being part of a diverse and passionate team.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in thermal analysis or related field.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft thermal environments.
• Ability to validate thermal designs for compliance with requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain thermal models using various tools.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses.
• Collaborate with design teams and support verification activities.

Skills

Thermal analysis tools

Heat transfer principles

Excellent communication skills

Collaboration across disciplines

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

COMSOL

ANSYS Fluent

Job description

Barrios Technology is an engineering solutions partner with more than 45 years of experience supporting NASA and the commercial space industry.

We deliver innovative engineering, software, and technology integration services across NASA centers nationwide.

Barrios prides itself on a people‑focused culture that values creativity, diversity, professional growth, and a healthy work‑life balance.

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States.

Amentum has an exciting opportunity for a Thermal Analysis Engineer to join the team with Barrios, a teammate company.

Thermal Analysis Engineer will support the development, analysis, and verification of thermal control systems that contribute to NASA's human spaceflight missions. The engineer will collaborate closely with NASA customers, subsystem teams, and cross‑disciplinary engineering groups to deliver reliable thermal solutions for both crewed and uncrewed vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain simplified to high‑fidelity thermal models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and related tools.
• Perform steady‑state and transient thermal analyses for spacecraft components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle configurations.
• Evaluate thermal performance across mission phases, including ascent, cruise, lunar orbit, surface operations, and off‑nominal scenarios.
• Perform thermal sensitivity studies in support of vendor vehicle designs, GFE designs or requirement development.
• Support thermal verification and validation activities, including test planning, thermal vacuum testing, data analysis, and model correlation.
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize PTCS and ATCS architectures.
• Provide guidance on thermal design considerations and ensure compliance with NASA requirements and best practices.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and anomaly investigations.
• Review NASA and vendor thermal designs for technical accuracy and requirement compliance.
• Document analysis results, prepare technical reports, and present findings to internal stakeholders and NASA customers.
• Support integration with systems engineering, mission operations, and hardware development teams throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited engineering school, plus two (2) to five (5) years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, or similar industry‑standard software.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles and spacecraft thermal environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple technical disciplines.
• Ability to assess and validate thermal designs for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.

Preferences

• Typically 5–10 years of relevant engineering experience.
• BS degree in engineering and at least five years of direct engineering experience.
• Familiarity with NASA JSC organizations, processes, and procedures.
• Experience with PTCS or ATCS hardware design, analysis, testing, certification, or operations.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience performing thermal analysis and design for aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with the Engineering Life Cycle and requirements verification processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines.
• Demonstrate strong leadership by fostering collaboration, driving clear technical direction, and contributing to a culture of accountability and high‑quality engineering.

Essential Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Applicant selected may be subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Work may involve sitting for extended periods.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.li>
• Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary.
• Generally, an office environment but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.)
• Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.
• Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
• This position may require some commuting and traveling to other installations as needed.

Barrios Technology is a drug‑free workplace, which is imperative to the health and safety of all employees and is required as a condition of receiving contracts from federal agencies. A post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test is a condition of employment.

Barrios Technology is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.