The Aerospace Corporation
Spacecraft Passive Thermal Engineer
The Aerospace Corporation, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Overview
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space—delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. The customer facing CSG program office works closely with various technical engineering and technology groups throughout the company and across the country. This specific position will work closely with the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Division and the locally managed Thermal Control Department. The Thermal Control Department is a team of experienced engineers with deep expertise in the design and analysis of spacecraft thermal control systems from component to system level. The department performs technical studies, experimental investigations, and realtime assessments to inform and enable key decisions by our customers and their contractors. Role : Spacecraft Passive Thermal Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Project Engineer – Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering) with a strong background in heat transfer and thermal engineering; and direct experience in design, analysis, integration, and test for passive thermal control systems. The successful applicant will support primarily unclassified spacecraft programs with emphasis on crewed systems. They will engage and advocate for the best solutions, best practices, and best innovations for critical thermal control issues on supported programs. Work Model This is a full-time position based in Houston, Texas which requires 100% onsite work, primarily with the NASA team at Johnson Space Center, and secondarily at the local Aerospace Corporation office with Human Exploration and Spaceflight program management, with flexibility as the business needs allow. What You'll Be Doing
Evaluate and analyze the Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) for the Orion crewed vehicle and missions while maintaining interfaces with other vehicles outside the program. Lead and perform high-priority thermal analyses supporting the Orion vehicle through all missions and mission phases, including real-time analysis of telemetered data in test and flight. Lead and perform independent assessment of critical aspects of the design or interaction with cross-program systems/elements such as the Active Thermal Control System. Develop/compile a portfolio of models to support integrated analysis required for SE&I, cross-program, and other insight groups. Identify analyses needed to verify or confirm the design for different environments, mission phases, segments, operations, and performance of key components. Develop thermal analysis and data workflows and visualizations to improve the speed and accuracy of key program decisions, including real-time decisions during flight. Identify and track key thermal metrics including temperature and heat rejection margins of the PTCS. Support and monitor key trade decisions and performance characteristics including mass trades, heat rejection and temperature margins, materials/coatings/survivability, effect of dust on heat rejection, heater sizing, insulation layups, etc., and system-level requirements. Additional duties may include supporting Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for PTCS: advise the ES3 Passive Thermal Teams in verification closure plans, requirement management, and risk analysis; provide guidance on evaluation of contractor deliverables for SE&I products; coordinate with providers to understand data, analysis, models, and simulation deliverables; verify claims of accuracy, boundary conditions, results, model correlation, and model V&V; coordinate between providers and NASA program management to guide integration and testing goals, plans, constraints, and requirements; review test plans and participate in test coordination milestone reviews and activities; assist in Verification, Validation, & Certification of PTCS. Provide mentorship and guidance to early-career engineers in PTCS and Thermal SE&I fields. What You Need to Be Successful (Senior Member of Technical Staff)
Minimum Requirements: B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences or equivalent experience with a Professional Engineering License 4+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of thermal control systems for all relevant modes of heat transfer, both passive and active, and through all phases of the program lifecycle Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop; also Creo, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO; scripting languages such as FORTRAN, Python, and MATLAB Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycle, and other environmental test programs Demonstrated initiative and leadership, with ability to manage own work independently Willing to travel occasionally to contractor facilities (~20% time) Must maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff: B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences, or equivalent experience with PE 3+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of thermal control systems Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop; Creo, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO; FORTRAN, Python, MATLAB Willing to travel ~20% time Security clearance requirement per above In addition to the above, minimum requirements for a Project Engineer: 6+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with TVAC, thermal cycle, and environmental test programs Proven ability to build and manage engineering teams of 2+ people with delivery of results How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: M.S. or Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences 10+ years of direct spacecraft thermal engineering experience with emphasis on design, analysis, SE&I Deep knowledge of spaceflight-relevant thermal systems engineering techniques Deep knowledge of NASA heritage passive thermal control systems Proficiency with FEA tools such as Abaqus or ANSYS Mechanical Proficiency with Systems Engineering tools including MS Project, DOORS, FMECA, MBSE tools Experience in adjacent engineering disciplines for spaceflight hardware Current and active Secret or higher U.S. Government security clearance Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy: every employee can demonstrate leadership. We want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary by job type. Highlights include: Comprehensive health care and wellness plans Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation Flexible work schedules, including telework options 401(k) Plan with company-paid contribution based on years of service; immediate eligibility Flexible spending accounts Variable pay program for exceptional contributions Relocation assistance Professional growth and development programs Education assistance programs Team-oriented, respectful work environment We are all unique, yet one thing bonds us: the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation. Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you need assistance with the online job search or application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
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The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space—delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. The customer facing CSG program office works closely with various technical engineering and technology groups throughout the company and across the country. This specific position will work closely with the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Division and the locally managed Thermal Control Department. The Thermal Control Department is a team of experienced engineers with deep expertise in the design and analysis of spacecraft thermal control systems from component to system level. The department performs technical studies, experimental investigations, and realtime assessments to inform and enable key decisions by our customers and their contractors. Role : Spacecraft Passive Thermal Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Project Engineer – Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering) with a strong background in heat transfer and thermal engineering; and direct experience in design, analysis, integration, and test for passive thermal control systems. The successful applicant will support primarily unclassified spacecraft programs with emphasis on crewed systems. They will engage and advocate for the best solutions, best practices, and best innovations for critical thermal control issues on supported programs. Work Model This is a full-time position based in Houston, Texas which requires 100% onsite work, primarily with the NASA team at Johnson Space Center, and secondarily at the local Aerospace Corporation office with Human Exploration and Spaceflight program management, with flexibility as the business needs allow. What You'll Be Doing
Evaluate and analyze the Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) for the Orion crewed vehicle and missions while maintaining interfaces with other vehicles outside the program. Lead and perform high-priority thermal analyses supporting the Orion vehicle through all missions and mission phases, including real-time analysis of telemetered data in test and flight. Lead and perform independent assessment of critical aspects of the design or interaction with cross-program systems/elements such as the Active Thermal Control System. Develop/compile a portfolio of models to support integrated analysis required for SE&I, cross-program, and other insight groups. Identify analyses needed to verify or confirm the design for different environments, mission phases, segments, operations, and performance of key components. Develop thermal analysis and data workflows and visualizations to improve the speed and accuracy of key program decisions, including real-time decisions during flight. Identify and track key thermal metrics including temperature and heat rejection margins of the PTCS. Support and monitor key trade decisions and performance characteristics including mass trades, heat rejection and temperature margins, materials/coatings/survivability, effect of dust on heat rejection, heater sizing, insulation layups, etc., and system-level requirements. Additional duties may include supporting Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for PTCS: advise the ES3 Passive Thermal Teams in verification closure plans, requirement management, and risk analysis; provide guidance on evaluation of contractor deliverables for SE&I products; coordinate with providers to understand data, analysis, models, and simulation deliverables; verify claims of accuracy, boundary conditions, results, model correlation, and model V&V; coordinate between providers and NASA program management to guide integration and testing goals, plans, constraints, and requirements; review test plans and participate in test coordination milestone reviews and activities; assist in Verification, Validation, & Certification of PTCS. Provide mentorship and guidance to early-career engineers in PTCS and Thermal SE&I fields. What You Need to Be Successful (Senior Member of Technical Staff)
Minimum Requirements: B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences or equivalent experience with a Professional Engineering License 4+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of thermal control systems for all relevant modes of heat transfer, both passive and active, and through all phases of the program lifecycle Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop; also Creo, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO; scripting languages such as FORTRAN, Python, and MATLAB Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycle, and other environmental test programs Demonstrated initiative and leadership, with ability to manage own work independently Willing to travel occasionally to contractor facilities (~20% time) Must maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff: B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences, or equivalent experience with PE 3+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of thermal control systems Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop; Creo, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO; FORTRAN, Python, MATLAB Willing to travel ~20% time Security clearance requirement per above In addition to the above, minimum requirements for a Project Engineer: 6+ years of thermal engineering and/or systems engineering experience Experience with TVAC, thermal cycle, and environmental test programs Proven ability to build and manage engineering teams of 2+ people with delivery of results How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: M.S. or Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences 10+ years of direct spacecraft thermal engineering experience with emphasis on design, analysis, SE&I Deep knowledge of spaceflight-relevant thermal systems engineering techniques Deep knowledge of NASA heritage passive thermal control systems Proficiency with FEA tools such as Abaqus or ANSYS Mechanical Proficiency with Systems Engineering tools including MS Project, DOORS, FMECA, MBSE tools Experience in adjacent engineering disciplines for spaceflight hardware Current and active Secret or higher U.S. Government security clearance Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy: every employee can demonstrate leadership. We want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary by job type. Highlights include: Comprehensive health care and wellness plans Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation Flexible work schedules, including telework options 401(k) Plan with company-paid contribution based on years of service; immediate eligibility Flexible spending accounts Variable pay program for exceptional contributions Relocation assistance Professional growth and development programs Education assistance programs Team-oriented, respectful work environment We are all unique, yet one thing bonds us: the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation. Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you need assistance with the online job search or application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
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