Thermal Analysis Engineer

About the Role

Barrios Technology is seeking a Thermal Analysis Engineer to support the development, analysis, and verification of thermal control systems that contribute to NASA's human spaceflight missions. The engineer will collaborate with NASA customers, subsystem teams, and cross-disciplinary engineering groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain simplified to high-fidelity thermal models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and related tools.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses for spacecraft components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle configurations.
• Evaluate thermal performance across mission phases, including ascent, cruise, lunar orbit, surface operations, and off-nominal scenarios.
• Perform thermal sensitivity studies in support of vendor vehicle designs, GFE designs, or requirement development.
• Support thermal verification and validation activities, including test planning, thermal vacuum testing, data analysis, and model correlation.
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize PTCS and ATCS architectures.
• Provide guidance on thermal design considerations and ensure compliance with NASA requirements and best practices.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and anomaly investigations.
• Review NASA and vendor thermal designs for technical accuracy and requirement compliance.
• Document analysis results, prepare technical reports, and present findings to internal stakeholders and NASA customers.
• Support integration with systems engineering, mission operations, and hardware development teams.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, or similar industry-standard software.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles and spacecraft thermal environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to assess and validate thermal designs for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.

Qualifications (Preferences)

• Familiarity with NASA JSC organizations, processes, and procedures.
• Experience with PTCS or ATCS hardware design, analysis, testing, certification, or operations.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience performing thermal analysis and design for aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with the Engineering Life Cycle and requirements verification processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration, drive clear technical direction, and contribute to a culture of accountability and high-quality engineering.

Essential Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Successful completion of a U.S. government background investigation.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.
• Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere.
• Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and not impose a safety risk.
• May require some commuting and traveling to other installations.