Thermal Protection Systems Engineer — Spacecraft Heat Expert

Aurex; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurex in Huntsville, AL seeks a Thermal Analyst with extensive experience in thermal analysis of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and thermal protection systems. The role covers system- and component‑level analyses across ground, ascent, orbital, and entry phases, developing high‑fidelity models and sizing TPS.

Strong proficiency with Thermal Desktop (Ansys) and SINDA/FLUINT is required. You will collaborate with aerothermal and structures teams, document analyses, and support verification

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of industry experience in thermal analysis and thermal protection systems for aerospace vehicles.
• Hands-on experience with Thermal Desktop (Ansys) / SINDA/FLUINT for building and running CAD-based spacecraft thermal models.
• Proficiency with TPS / ablation tools such as FIAT, CHAR, TITAN/3dFIAT, Icarus, or equivalent codes.

Responsibilities

• Perform system‑level and component‑level thermal analysis for orbital vehicles, re‑entry vehicles, and TPS across ground, ascent, orbital, and atmospheric entry phases.
• Develop and maintain detailed thermal models using industry‑standard tools; size ablative and reusable TPS; evaluate material response, recession, and in‑depth temperatures.
• Analyze orbital thermal environments (solar, albedo, planetary IR, eclipse cycling, attitude‑dependent heating) and their effects on spacecraft structures and avionics, including temperature predictions, thermal gradients, hot/cold cases, and thermal stress implications.
• Utilize aeroheating environments and couple them with material response tools for integrated TPS design and trajectory‑based analysis.
• Support thermal‑structural interfaces, avionics thermal control, heater/MLI design, active thermal control, and verification activities.
• Collaborate closely with aerothermal (CFD) and structural dynamics teams on multiphysics problems involving high heating rates, shock, vibration, and high‑G loads.
• Document analyses, support peer reviews, and correlate models to test or flight data.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop (Ansys)

SINDA/FLUINT

FIAT

CHAR

TITAN/3dFIAT

Icarus

Job description

Aurex in Huntsville, AL seeks a Thermal Analyst with extensive experience in thermal analysis of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and thermal protection systems. The role covers system- and component‑level analyses across ground, ascent, orbital, and entry phases, developing high‑fidelity models and sizing TPS.

Strong proficiency with Thermal Desktop (Ansys) and SINDA/FLUINT is required. You will collaborate with aerothermal and structures teams, document analyses, and support verification