CEV - Senior Principal Thermal Engineer

Since our founding in 1982, Orbital has pioneered new classes of rockets, satellites and other space systems that have made us one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of space and missile systems. Our commercial, civil government and military customers depend on our low-orbit, geostationary and planetary spacecraft to help them meet their communications, remote sensing and scientific missions. We also launch exciting new careers every day. Join us in bringing the benefits of space down to Earth!

NASA is developing the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) to transport a crew of six to and from the International Space Station and a crew of four to and from the Moon in support of the Vision for Space Exploration. The CEV is composed of an Apollo style Crew Module (CM), a Service Module (SM), and the Launch Abort System (LAS) and will have first flight in the 2012 timeframe. The LAS provides escape capability for the crew from pad operations through ascent after which the unused LAS is jettisoned. The LAS is composed primarily of solid rocket motors, separation mechanisms, actuators, adapter structure and will provide some of the most extreme accelerations and acoustic environments that the CEV will experience. Orbital Sciences Corporation has teamed with Lockheed Martin and will serve as the developer of the LAS. Several launch abort tests are planned with the first scheduled for December 2008.

The LAS Thermal Engineer will be responsible for performing system and/or subsystem thermal analyses and design. This will include performing TPS sizing, thermal model development, analyses of plume impingement and aeroheating, and supporting the TPS design effort. The LAS Thermal Engineer will develop and maintain the thermal math model of the LAS and define component and system requirements based on analysis results. The LAS Thermal Engineer will report directly to the LAS Systems Analysis Lead. Responsibilities include weekly interfacing with NASA and Lockheed Martin Customers and Systems Analysis Lead. Responsibilities include weekly interfacing with NASA and Lockheed Martin customers and systems analysis teams, presentations at monthly reviews and technical interchange meetings, and supporting deliverable documentation.

B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineer. Master's preferred.
10+ years of related experience is required.
Experience with thermal analysis of spacecraft or launch vehicles is desired. Launch vehicle and solid rocket booster experience desired.
Experience with Thermal Desktop, IDEAS, and ProE is desired.