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Barrios Technology · 5 months ago

Orion Thermal Protection System Engineer

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

5+ years exp

Barrios Technology is a woman-owned and operated small business focused on providing engineering solutions for NASA and the aerospace community. They are seeking a highly experienced aerospace engineer to provide subsystem management and technical leadership for the certification, testing, and build of the Orion Heatshield, requiring deep expertise in heat transfer and thermal protection systems.

AerospaceSoftware Engineering

Culture & Values

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead subsystem management for the Orion Heatshield, including certification planning, testing, and build oversight

Oversee the development of thermal models, stress analyses, and test techniques to ensure successful heatshield certification

Evaluate proposed designs and specifications for Avcoat blocks, identifying deficiencies and recommending alternative approaches to meet technical and safety requirements

Direct thermal analysis and test efforts performed by NASA civil servants and contractors across multiple centers

Assess all heatshield related hardware designs and supporting data at critical design and hardware acceptance reviews

Coordinate material property testing to support thermal and mechanical model development, delivering ablative thermal material models to Lockheed Martin for thermal sizing

Define and manage test plans for arc jet and radiant heatshield test programs

Provide on-site technical expertise for block bonding and gap filling operations at Kennedy Space Center. Compile certification evidence, track verification completion, and develop certification of flight readiness statements

Provides status and update reports to the Organization Chief and to Directorate management

Provide technical authority and consultation on Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) system design, testing, and analysis to programs across NASA

Develop strategies for advancing EDL technologies for current and future exploration spacecraft

Lead technical meetings, represent the organization at conferences, and build partnerships with industry, government agencies, and universities

Mentor junior engineers, interns, and academic researchers in EDL systems analysis and testing

Advise management on priorities, feasibility, and risks of EDL technology development projects

Propose and develop innovative concepts in collaboration with industry and government partners to advance state-of-the art EDL technology

Qualification

Thermal protection systemsHeat transfer analysisSpacecraft certification processesEngineering analysis experienceSimulation model developmentTechnical writing skillsTeam communication skillsInnovative concept developmentProgramming in PythonProgramming in MATLABPresentation skillsMentoring skills

Required

BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited engineering school

Minimum of 5 years of engineering analysis experience related to thermal control systems

Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and normally possess 5-10 years of related experience

License and certification may be required

Experience working with complex, vehicle level models with multiple system interactions

Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to use data to draw conclusions and support the conclusions when challenged

Excellent presentation skills

Demonstrate excellent communication skills in a team environment

Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation

Post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol as outlined in our Drug Free Workplace policy

Work may involve sitting for extended periods

May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs

Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task

Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.)

Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical

Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required

Must be able to work in a team atmosphere

Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation

Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others

This position may require some commuting and traveling to other installations as needed

Preferred

Experience with developing and reviewing simulation models of spacecraft hardware and systems at varying levels of fidelity ranging from detailed, first-principal models to more descriptive lumped-parameter models

Experience with flight hardware test plan development and execution

Experience with requirements definition and validation of space flight hardware

Knowledge of programming in one or more of the following Python or MATLAB