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 insurance

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Thermal Technician to design, fabricate, install, and test thermal systems for spacecraft hardware. You will join a team of engineers and technicians delivering mission-critical components to sponsors and government agencies.

The role emphasizes precision craftsmanship, working with insulation systems, textiles, composites, and aerospace fabrication in cleanroom environments, with travel to launch sites as required.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree and two years of related 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.

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

Skills

aerospace hardware

textiles

sewing

quality workmanship

reading drawings

fabrication

Education

Associate's degree

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

As Spacecraft Thermal Technician you will...

• 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.

Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits | KBR

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 of 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.