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Virgin Galactic · 18 hours ago

Sr. Engineer, Thermal

Tustin, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$109K/yr - $166K/yr

8+ years exp

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. They are seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing spaceship and launch vehicle thermal systems, ensuring mission-critical scope for commercial space travel. The role involves developing heat transfer models, performing thermal model correlation, and leading pre-flight preparations among other responsibilities.

AerospaceCommercialSpace Travel

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Develop external heat transfer models encompassing all modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation) including aero heating, plume radiation and solar impingement using in-house simulators, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and commercial finite element and finite difference software

Perform thermal model correlation with flight test data and component testing

This includes developing environmental test limits based on predicted model results for avionics electronics

Develop and substantiate thermal design objectives and requirements for unique vehicles with unconventional configurations

Lead pre-flight preparation including development of instrumentation plans, review of test limitations, flight test plans and procedures, flight readiness reviews, mission control room support, and post flight analysis

Accountable for the technical integration of the Thermal scope and engineering disciplines, including full lifecycle requirement development, verification planning and execution through analysis, testing, and flight test

Support the program team by identifying risks and development of risk mitigation plans that meet the program objectives

Support the development and validation of the system technical requirements and deliverables in support of overall program requirements

Update and communicate status effectively with the Program Team and leadership to provide awareness, visibility, and technical support

Perform high level quality control of the work (technical adequacy, plans, personnel's performance) and report regularly on engineering project status to program and engineering leadership. Initiate corrective actions for poor quality engineering results

Perform CFD analysis to understand aero heating and develop thermal boundary conditions

Mentor Junior team members

The Senior Thermal Engineer will also be expected to achieve the position of Thermal Mission Control Console Certifying Authority and train and certify other team members

Qualification

Heat transferFinite element modelingComputational fluid dynamicsScripting languagesAerodynamicsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsTeam collaboration

Required

Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution with a minimum of 8+ years of related professional work experience

Proficient in heat transfer, electromagnetic radiation, convection, & conduction

Familiar with subsonic & supersonic aerodynamics

Experience in finite element modeling with FEMAP/TMG and/or Thermal Desktop and an understanding of finite difference methods (with focus of heat transfer)

Working knowledge of scripting languages like Python

Working knowledge of aircraft and spacecraft systems

Ability to carry out technical work in an environment with multiple stakeholders

Excellent written & verbal communication skills

Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills with high attention to detail

Team player with excellent collaboration, organizational and interpersonal skills