Sr. Thermal Analyst

Job Title: Senior Thermal Analyst

Job Description

The Senior Thermal Analyst will support thermal analysis and modeling for spacecraft systems and subsystems, with a strong focus on spaceflight hardware and electronics. This role involves developing and refining detailed thermal models, performing steady-state and transient analyses, and contributing to the design of thermal hardware such as heaters, radiators, multilayer insulation, and thermal interfaces. The position offers the opportunity to work across multiple programs within a highly specialized thermal engineering organization, providing significant room for technical growth and impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine detailed thermal models for spacecraft systems and subsystems using tools such as SINDA/FLUINT, Thermal Desktop, ICEPAK, or equivalent software.
• Perform steady-state and transient thermal analyses to evaluate spacecraft and spaceflight hardware performance under a wide range of operating conditions.
• Support the design of thermal hardware, including heaters, radiators, multilayer insulation (MLI), and thermal interface components.
• Create thermal models and perform heat transfer analysis for spacecraft and spaceflight hardware, including electronic chassis/boxes, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and printed wiring boards (PWBs).
• Model PCB and PWB designs and performance using thermal analysis simulation programs such as Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT.
• Apply analysis tools such as MathCAD to assess the robustness of electrical power circuitry from a thermal standpoint.
• Generate clear and comprehensive thermal documentation, including analysis reports, test plans, and test procedures.
• Support thermal testing activities, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, test execution, and post-test data review.
• Coordinate closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, systems, and avionics engineering, to ensure thermal requirements are understood, met, and verified.
• Provide regular status updates on analysis progress and results, and support internal and external program reviews with technical input and documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of thermal analysis methodologies, tools, and best practices within a specialized thermal engineering environment.
• Support multiple programs concurrently as needed, adapting thermal analysis approaches to different spacecraft and aerospace applications.

Essential Skills

• BS or MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Ideally 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design and thermal analysis or related thermal modeling for aerospace or similar high-reliability systems.
• Strong proficiency in thermal analysis modeling using standard software tools such as SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop.
• Demonstrated experience performing steady-state and transient thermal analyses for spacecraft, NASA, or related aerospace systems.
• Hands-on experience with thermal design for spacecraft or spaceflight hardware, including heaters, radiators, multilayer insulation (MLI), and thermal interfaces.
• Experience creating and analyzing thermal models for electronic chassis/boxes, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and printed wiring boards (PWBs).
• Understanding of thermal interface materials such as RTV, ChoTherm, and similar materials, as well as wedge locks, rails, and other PCB and PWB mounting approaches.
• Ability to use thermal analysis simulation programs such as Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT to model PCB and PWB designs and overall thermal performance.
• Proficiency with engineering analysis tools such as MathCAD to assess the robustness of electrical power circuitry from a thermal perspective.
• Strong written communication skills to generate clear analysis reports, test plans, and procedures, and to document assumptions, methods, and results.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with mechanical, systems, and avionics engineering teams to define and verify thermal requirements.
• Experience supporting thermal testing, particularly thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, execution, and data review.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electrical or electronics thermal analysis, including detailed analysis of power electronics and high-density boards, is a plus.
• Familiarity with additional thermal analysis programs such as TRASYS, TSS, THERMICA, RADCAD, NEVADA, and IDEAS/TMG is highly desirable.
• Background working on spacecraft, NASA missions, or related aerospace systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in organizations focused primarily on thermal analysis or thermal engineering is beneficial.
• Ability to manage work across multiple programs and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic project environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to propose practical thermal design solutions based on analysis results.
• Comfort presenting technical findings in program reviews and communicating complex thermal concepts to multidisciplinary teams.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, working within a highly specialized thermal engineering organization dedicated exclusively to thermal analysis and design. The environment is collaborative and engineering-focused, with close interaction among mechanical, systems, avionics, and test teams. You will work with industry-standard thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ICEPAK, and MathCAD, and you will support both analytical work and test activities, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing. The position offers exposure to multiple spacecraft and aerospace programs, providing a strong platform for professional development and long-term growth in the thermal analysis discipline.

This is a Contract position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on May 11, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.