Thermal Analysis Engineer

MRI Technologies has an exciting opportunity for a Thermal Analysis Engineer on the JETS II contract at NASA Johnson Space Center. In this role, you will support the development, analysis, and verification of thermal control systems that contribute to NASA's human spaceflight missions, working alongside NASA customers, subsystem teams, and cross-disciplinary engineering groups to deliver reliable thermal solutions for crewed and uncrewed vehicles supporting the Artemis Program and future deep space exploration.

A typical day involves developing and maintaining simplified to high-fidelity thermal models in Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT and running steady-state and transient analyses for spacecraft components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle configurations. In the morning you may be evaluating thermal performance across mission phases-ascent, cruise, lunar orbit, surface operations, and off-nominal scenarios-or performing sensitivity studies in support of vendor vehicle designs, GFE designs, or requirement development. In the afternoon you could be supporting thermal vacuum test planning and model correlation, reviewing NASA and vendor thermal designs for technical accuracy, or presenting analysis findings to NASA customers in a design review. The work is intellectually challenging, mission-critical, and directly tied to enabling safe human exploration beyond Earth orbit.

What We Are Looking For

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution, with a minimum of 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area
• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, or similar industry-standard software
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles (conduction, convection, radiation) and spacecraft thermal environments
• Experience performing steady-state and transient thermal analyses for spacecraft components, subsystems, or integrated vehicle configurations
• Ability to assess and validate thermal designs for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements
• Experience documenting analysis results and preparing technical reports for internal stakeholders and customers
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple technical disciplines
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and schedules with limited supervision
• Ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and contractor employees
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products

Preferences:

• Typically 5–10 years of relevant engineering experience
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred
• Experience with Passive Thermal Control Systems (PTCS) or Active Thermal Control Systems (ATCS) hardware design, analysis, testing, certification, or operations
• Proven experience performing thermal analysis and design for aerospace systems
• Experience supporting thermal verification and validation activities, including test planning, thermal vacuum testing, data analysis, and model correlation
• Familiarity with the Engineering Life Cycle and requirements verification processes
• Familiarity with NASA JSC organizations, processes, and procedures
• Experience participating in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and anomaly investigations
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines
• Demonstrated leadership in fostering collaboration, driving clear technical direction, and contributing to a culture of accountability and high-quality engineering

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on your experience and business needs, we may consider candidates at any level for which the position has been advertised.

Benefits and Perks

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, company paid life and disability insurance, paid time off, and 401(k). You'll also enjoy a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off, when applicable), an onsite cafeteria, and strong career development opportunities working alongside NASA's human spaceflight teams.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.

MRI Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

As we are a Federal Contractor, most positions require the employee to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government background investigation. MRI also completes a pre-screening background check for anyone offered employment.