Life Support Systems (LSS) Thermal Engineer Verified today
About the role
You will be responsible for developing, maturing, and operating thermal-fluid spaceflight hardware to support Axiom Station as part of the Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (ECLSS) team. You will own product delivery timelines through concept, design, fabrication, assembly, launch, on-orbit operation, and on-orbit services. This role is onsite at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF) in Houston and reports to the Life Support Systems Manager.
Key responsibilities
- Define and create modern space station thermal-fluid system standards and practices
- Own design, development, integration, and verification of thermal-fluid hardware for crewed spaceflight
- Lead design and production reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Stress, avionics, manufacturing) to ensure integration and meet mission requirements
- Lead thermal system trade studies and architecture decisions balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, operability, schedule, and cost
- Perform thermal-fluid system sizing and analysis for radiators, pumps, heat exchangers, cold plates, accumulators, valves, regulators, lines, manifolds, and thermal interfaces
- Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain through final integration
- Generate and review CAD models, engineering schematics, drawings, analyses, and procedures
- Develop and review thermal mathematical models and simulations for steady-state and transient performance across all mission phases
- Conduct thermal-fluid analyses including pressure drop, flow balancing, heat transfer, fluid network modeling, and system characterization
- Validate designs by analysis or test, building development articles as needed
- Support manufacturing, assembly, and on-orbit operation of hardware
- Communicate project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership
- Implement and maintain agile project management methodologies
Required qualifications
- B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 13+ years' experience working on thermal systems or similar role
- Hands-on experience building, testing, assembling, and/or integrating hardware
- Experience designing and analyzing thermal systems (heat exchangers, radiators, cold plates) or fluid components (valves, regulators, pumps, lines, manifolds)
- Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics
- Strong understanding of space environments (grounding/bonding, thermal, vacuum, regolith) and how they affect design decisions
- Experience defining and implementing engineering standards, processes, and practices
- Proficiency with mechanical design tools (NX, Creo, or Solidworks) and test analysis tools (Python, or equivalent)
- Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
- Ability to solve problems proactively and positively impact hard challenges
- Proven delivery of high quality results under tight deadlines
Preferred qualifications
- Familiarity with flight hardware development and certification
- Knowledge of NASA or commercial space program standards
- Experience with CFD, FEA, or thermal modeling tools such as ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, Thermal Desktop, SINDA/Fluint
- Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems, including sensors, harness routing, connectors, and control hardware
Work environment
Generally office-based, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task. May require sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs (5% of the time). Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.
Export control
This position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Final candidates may be required to undergo additional export-control screening to determine eligibility for access. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment.