Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

About the role

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) provides national expertise in vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. The Thermal Control Department performs technical studies, experimental investigations, and real time assessments to inform and enable key decisions by customers and their contractors. This role supports both classified and unclassified spacecraft programs with emphasis on classified systems, engaging and advocating for best solutions, practices, and innovations for critical thermal control issues across the enterprise.

Key customers

• Internal program offices representing defense and civil agencies, such as the U.S. Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and others

Responsibilities

• Engage with impact with internal and external customers to identify, track, and resolve design, workmanship, and performance issues relating to space vehicle and payload thermal control subsystems
• Deliver results as the thermal subject matter expert in thermal control systems for spacecraft and payloads
• Lead and conduct analysis, modeling, simulation, experimental investigations, and assessments of designs and design concepts relating to spacecraft thermal control systems and their components
• Participate in and review thermal subsystem requirements, allocations, design, integration, test, and flight operations
• Operate strategically, curating department knowledge and capabilities in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis and design, and/or thermal control hardware
• Provide thermal engineering technical leadership of teams of 2 or more people in support of programs, inter-department projects, and broad engagement efforts

Minimum requirements for Member of the Technical Staff

• B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences
• 1 or more years thermal engineering experience
• Experience with the design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and operation of spacecraft thermal control systems for all relevant modes of heat transfer, both active and passive, and through multiple phases of program lifecycle
• Experience with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop software; other applicable software include TSS, EES, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, CAMEO, and scripting languages such as FORTRAN and Python
• Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycle, and other environmental test programs
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer or contractor facilities approximately 10% time
• This position requires the individual to maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Additional minimum requirements for Senior Member of the Technical Staff

• 4+ years thermal engineering experience
• Experience providing thermal engineering support at a system level for at least 1 spacecraft program, encompassing at least two major phases (e.g., Architecture, Design, Manufacturing, Test, Flight) for each program
• Experience participating in integrated-team thermal engineering efforts: innovation projects, concurrent engineering, digital engineering, vehicle-level thermal design, hosted or multiple-payload missions, anomaly and root-cause investigation involving 2 or more people

Preferred qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences
• 4+ years direct spacecraft thermal engineering experience
• Knowledge of cryogenics, two-phase thermophysics and heat pipes, or thermodynamics
• Experience in adjacent engineering disciplines for spaceflight hardware: systems engineering, control systems, fluid or propulsion systems, power systems, flight software and telemetry systems, integration and test
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and lead research and development tasks
• Current and active Secret or higher security clearance

Pay

$86,600.00 - $150,400.00 annual

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Schedule

Full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, or El Segundo, CA, requiring at least 4 days onsite.