CAREERS
Senior Aerospace Thermal Engineer – Vertex Aerospace
*This position is contingent upon contract award from NASA customer.
Location & Details
- Location: Greenbelt, MD (Hybrid)
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Contract Support: NASA/Goddard (GSFC) programs
- Compensation: Salary based on experience and contract factors
About Vertex Aerospace
Vertex Aerospace is an engineering services company specializing in thermal engineering design, analysis, integration, and test support for government and industry customers across the United States. The team brings more than 60+ years of combined thermal engineering experience, supporting NASA, DoD, and commercial space programs, with deep expertise in Thermal Control System (TCS) development.
Position Overview
The Senior Aerospace Thermal Engineer will support the design, analysis, and verification of spacecraft and instrument‑level thermal control systems within Vertex Aerospace’s advanced thermal engineering practice. This role includes developing geometric and analytical thermal math models using industry‑standard tools such as Thermal Desktop® and SINDA, ensuring compliance with mission and customer requirements.
The Senior Aerospace Thermal Engineer will apply engineering standards, specify thermal control hardware, and define lower‑level thermal requirements for complex aerospace systems. This position will also collaborate closely with the NASA/Goddard Thermal Engineering Branch to support system integration, design reviews, and thermal control verification activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop spacecraft, spacecraft component and instrument‑level thermal designs
- Create Geometric Math Models (GMMs) and Thermal Math Models (TMMs) using Thermal Desktop
- Perform thermal analysis for ground and on‑orbit environments
- Apply engineering standards to ensure thermal performance meets mission and customer requirements.
- Collaborate with the Thermal Engineering Branch to confirm GSFC program requirements are met with margin
- Specify, document, and procure thermal control system (TCS) hardware.
- Support subsystem interface definition and design‑to‑requirements compliance.
- Support integration of thermal control hardware
- Prepare and present thermal design and analysis reports, test and correlation results
- Support peer, system, and subsystem design reviews
- Plan, conduct and support thermal vacuum and thermal balance testing
- Provide engineering consultation and attend project reviews
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of aerospace engineering experience in thermal/fluid systems.
- Leadership experience developing thermal models for spacecraft, spacecraft components and instruments.
- Proficiency with Thermal Desktop® and SINDA simulations.
- Experience performing thermal modeling, design, and thermal vacuum testing.
- Technical team leadership and spacecraft project review participation.
Preferred Skills
- Advanced modeling experience with Thermal Desktop®, SINDA, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering - required
- Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) - preferred, but not required
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Disability coverage
- Paid time off (vacation/sick leave)
- Flexible work schedule
How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please click the “Apply Now” button below. This will open a new email draft where you can submit your application materials. Please include the following as attachments:
- Your most updated resume (PDF format)
Please ensure your resume reflects your current experience, skills, and contact information. - A cover letter (PDF format)
In your cover letter, tell us why you believe you would be a strong fit for this role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the position.