Thermal Engineer - Aerospace Systems
Analytical Mechanics Associates
Summary
Support NASA research involving aerothermodynamics, materials and structures, and propulsion systems analysis. Responsibilities extend to supporting efforts of other government agencies or their partners on national and international programs. Interface with NASA affiliates at other Government agencies, national or international organizations, and with Integrated Product Teams comprised of participants from NASA, other government entities, academia, and industry.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Perform external flow analyses for determining aerothermodynamic loads on spacecraft, re-entry vehicles, high-speed aircraft, wind tunnel models, and other research platforms.
- Perform heat transfer analysis for propulsion systems, payloads, fluid transport, and actively cooled systems.
- Apply analysis results to the design of leading edges, thermal protection systems, heat mitigation strategies, and materials selection.
- Predict thermal instrumentation responses (thermocouples, heat flux sensors, and radiometers), integrate experimental results with models to characterize thermal environments.
- Identify, develop, and design advanced high-temperature thermal protection materials, with use of additive manufacturing techniques.
- Generate assembly/integration and test procedures.
- Prepare and present technical reports, engineering analyses, and project briefings to management and stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or Materials Engineering, Thermal Sciences, Physics, or a relevant technical discipline.
- Demonstrated use of Pointwise, GridPro, HeldenMesh and Tecplot.
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermal control principles.
- Experience conducting thermal and power balance of propulsion systems, including heat exchanger design, propellant feed and pressurization systems, and thermal analysis.
- Experience performing ground tests including those in conventional supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic wind tunnels, true-enthalpy propulsion blow-down and pulse-type test facilities.
- Experience with Python programming or similar.
- Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of tools.
- US citizenship is required; US Persons permissible for some positions.
Desired Experience
- Experience in performing Structural, Thermal and Optical Performance (STOP) analysis.
- Proficiency with thermal analysis and modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, MATLAB, or equivalent software.
- Experience with thermal vacuum testing, environmental testing, and model correlation activities.
- Knowledge of spacecraft thermal control systems, aircraft thermal systems, advanced materials, or hypersonic vehicle thermal environments.
- Experience in material characterization using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Laser Flash (LFA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or Materials Engineering, Thermal Sciences, Physics, or a relevant technical discipline
- Demonstrated use of Pointwise, GridPro, HeldenMesh and Tecplot
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermal control principles
- Experience conducting thermal and power balance of propulsion systems, including heat exchanger design, propellant feed and pressurization systems, and thermal analysis
- Experience performing ground tests including those in conventional supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic wind tunnels, true-enthalpy propulsion blow-down and pulse-type test facilities
- Experience with Python programming or similar
- Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of tools
- US citizenship is required; US Persons permissible for some positions
Benefits
- Paid Personal Leave
- Federally Recognized Holiday Leave
- 401(k) Matching
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
Company overview
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is a specialized research and engineering consulting firm focused on advanced mechanics and aerospace applications. The company provides sophisticated analytical services in structural dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermal analysis, and computational modeling for aerospace, defense, and advanced technology sectors. With expertise in both theoretical and applied mechanics, AMA supports clients with complex engineering challenges including spacecraft design, propulsion systems analysis, structural integrity assessments, and advanced materials development. The firm's services encompass research and development, engineering analysis, simulation and modeling, and technical consulting for government agencies, aerospace contractors, and research institutions. AMA combines deep theoretical knowledge with practical engineering experience to deliver innovative solutions for mission-critical applications in space exploration, defense systems, and advanced transportation technologies.