Thermal Technician

KBR Careers; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Thermal Technician to design, fabricate, install, and test thermal insulation systems for spacecraft hardware. You will work with engineers and technicians to produce flight-quality components in a high-precision environment.

You will read engineering drawings, pattern, sew, assemble, and apply thermal protection materials while adhering to strict safety and contamination controls. Travel to launch sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent required; two years of related experience preferred.
• Experience with aerospace hardware, textiles, sewing, upholstery, composites, or precision workmanship.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specs, and procedures.
• Hands-on sewing, upholstery, textiles, composites, or aerospace fabrication environments.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate and assemble components with high attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to travel to launch sites, test facilities, and customer locations.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, modify, repair, and install thermal insulation systems including MLI blankets and foam components for spacecraft hardware.
• Perform precision sewing, patterning, cutting, and assembly per drawings and workmanship standards.
• Read and interpret drawings, specifications, and fabrication procedures to produce flight-quality hardware.
• Apply thermal protection materials and maintain strict workmanship standards.
• Support spacecraft installation and test activities with engineers and manufacturing personnel.
• Work in cleanroom environments while adhering to contamination control requirements.
• Operate specialized fabrication equipment and software used for thermal components.
• Identify and resolve fabrication or process issues with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Coordinate work across multiple areas to ensure efficient production flow and scheduling.
• Maintain compliance with aerospace safety requirements (ESD, cleanroom, chemical handling, high-voltage, quality).

Skills

Attention to detail

Reading engineering drawings

Aerospace fabrication

Sewing/Upholstery

Cleanroom work

Travel willingness

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Tools

Fabrication equipment

Specialized software

Cleanroom equipment

Job description

Title: Thermal Technician BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with KBR. Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

Position Summary Title: Thermal Technician KBR is seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, hands‑on professional who thrives on clear direction and collaborative teamwork. As a member of our team, you will deepen your existing expertise while acquiring new, independent-work skills, designing, fabricating, installing, and testing thermal systems for valuable, one-of-a-kind spacecraft hardware. You’ll join a driven group of engineers, scientists, and technical staff who share a passion for our unique products and services, which we deliver to sponsors and U.S. government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, modify, repair, and install thermal insulation systems including multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and foam components for spacecraft hardware.
• Perform precision sewing, patterning, cutting, and assembly of spacecraft thermal insulation systems in accordance with engineering drawings and workmanship standards.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, specifications, and fabrication procedures to produce flight-quality hardware.
• Apply thermal protection materials including foam tiles, facesheets, tapes, and insulation systems while maintaining strict workmanship standards.
• Support spacecraft mechanical installation, integration, and test activities by working closely with engineers, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.
• Perform hardware installation and processing in cleanroom environments while adhering to contamination control requirements.
• Operate specialized fabrication equipment and software used in the production of thermal components.
• Identify fabrication, tooling, or process issues and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to implement solutions.
• Coordinate work across multiple manufacturing areas to support efficient production flow, documentation, and schedule execution.
• Maintain compliance with aerospace safety requirements, including ESD, cleanroom, chemical handling, high-voltage, and quality standard.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate's degree and two (2) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with aerospace hardware, textiles, sewing, upholstery, composites, manufacturing, fabrication, mechanical assembly, or other highly detailed precision work.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, procedures, and work instructions.
• Hands-on experience in sewing, upholstery, textiles, composites, aerospace fabrication, soft goods manufacturing, or other precision craftsmanship environments.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate and assemble components requiring exceptional attention to detail and workmanship.
• Ability to support work in laboratory, manufacturing, cleanroom, or test environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel to launch sites, test facilities, and customer locations as required.

Basic Compensation: Jobs on this contract range from $62,400.00- $93,600.00. Pay range is specific to the Greenbelt, MD area. The offered rate will be based on the position, contract affordability, the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation: KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR Benefits: KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal 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.

KBR - Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People - We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver - We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity - We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower - We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision-makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams - We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.