Thermal Engineer

Astrion; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion invites applications for a Thermal Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. You will design, analyze, integrate, test, and manage the thermal subsystem for spacecraft, payloads, and technology demonstrations, ensuring survival across operational temperature ranges.

Collaborating with systems engineers and other specialists, you will optimize thermal interfaces, develop models, and conduct tests such as thermal balance and vacuum testing to validate designs.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering technical area.
• Detailed understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer as applied to space environments.
• Working knowledge and experience with Thermal Desktop or similar thermal analysis toolsets.
• Experience with Solidworks, AutoCAD, Windchill and translation of models for thermal analyses.
• Experience with thermal verification and validation including thermal cycling, thermal balance, and thermal vacuum testing.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Thermal design, analyses, verification and validation of the thermal management subsystem for spacecraft, payloads, instruments, and technology demonstrations.
• Define the work products, finishes, coatings, conductive paths and overall thermal design based on the project concept of operations and requirements.
• Working with other subsystem engineers (mechanical, electrical, communications, propulsion) to optimize design form, fit, function, and performance of the thermal control subsystem.
• Generate and run the thermal models to simulate the heat transfer and thermal management.
• Translate requirements, component limits, power profiles, and concept of operations to define thermal cases relevant for mission analyses.
• Define, write test procedures, and perform thermal balance and thermal vacuum test to provide model validation and verify the system design.
• Identify and communicate design trades
• Develop the schedule include tasks, procurements, lead times, test flow and durations for the thermal subsystems
• Responsible for periodic and milestone review thermal products and reports
• Create, define, control and verify thermal interfaces for subsystems, payloads, and technologies
• Interface with Government, contractors and mission partner staff for thermal interfaces
• Some travel may be required to support mission and project partners

Skills

Thermal engineering

Thermodynamics

Thermal analysis

Modeling & simulation

Communication

Time management

Independent work

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Windchill

Confluence/Jira

Job description

Overview

Thermal Engineer

LOCATION: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Ability to Pass a Federal Background Check

CERTIFICATION:

TRAVEL: As Needed

SALARY: 160,000 – 200,000

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for an Thermal Engineer located at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. The Thermal Engineer will support missions, projects, payloads, and technology demonstrations. The Thermal Engineer will be responsible for the design, analyses, integration, test, and management of the thermal subsystem of spacecraft, payloads, instruments, and technology demonstrations. Working with systems engineers and other subsystem engineers to ensures that all components, subassemblies, subsystems, and systems survive the temperature environments for operational and non-operational limits throughout all project and mission phases.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering technical area
• Detailed understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer as applied to space environments
• Working knowledge and experience with Thermal Desktop or similar thermal analysis toolsets
• Experience with Solidworks, AutoCAD, Windchill and translation of models for thermal analyses
• Experience with thermal verification and validation including thermal cycling, thermal balance, and thermal vacuum testing
• Flexible in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events
• Thorough, detail oriented, and organized, with excellent time management skills, and ability to prioritize tasks
• Familiar with and able to present data and recommendations to a diverse audience of project managers, scientists, engineers, and technical staff
• Superb verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and independent thinker

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• At least 3 years of related experience in Thermal Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar
• NASA or industry spaceflight experience highly desired
• Knowledge and experience working with Low Earth Orbit, Cis-Lunar, and Deep Space environments desirable
• Experience and understanding of cryocoolers a benefit
• Exceptional customer relationship management highly desirable
• Working knowledge and experience with Atlassian tools including Confluence and Jira a bonus

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for Thermal design, analyses, verification and validation of the thermal management subsystem for spacecraft, payloads, instruments, and technology demonstrations.
• Define the work products, finishes, coatings, conductive paths and overall thermal design based on the project concept of operations and requirements
• Working with other subsystem engineers (mechanical, electrical, communications, propulsion) to optimize design form, fit, function, and performance of the thermal control subsystem
• Generate and run the thermal models to simulate the heat transfer and thermal management
• Translate requirements, component limits, power profiles, and concept of operations to define thermal cases relevant for mission analyses
• Define, write test procedures, and perform thermal balance and thermal vacuum test to provide model validation and verify the system design
• Identify and communicate design trades
• Develop the schedule include tasks, procurements, lead times, test flow and durations for the thermal subsystems
• Responsible for periodic and milestone review thermal products and reports
• Create, define, control and verify thermal interfaces for subsystems, payloads, and technologies
• Interface with Government, contractors and mission partner staff for thermal interfaces
• Some travel may be required to support mission and project partners