The candidate will develop, run, and maintain fluid and thermal models in support of launch vehicle design, test, and operations. This role requires strong analytical ability, attention to detail, and familiarity with system-level thermofluid behavior. The candidate will work with preexisting SINDA/FLUINT models, port existing models to new vehicle configurations, and generate engineering outputs that directly support design decisions, mission timelines, and subsystem sizing. A successful candidate will be comfortable working across multiple fluid subsystems and collaborating in an agile team environment.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or relevant field
Experience with thermal-fluid modeling tools
Familiarity with thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid systems
Ability to work within a team and communicate results clearly
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Responsibilities:
Fill and Drain
Run SINDA/FLUINT models to support ground launch operations using established fill and drain models.
Gas Distribution
Analyze high-to-low pressure regulation, pressure-control systems, and thruster supply paths using SINDA/FLUINT.
Support valve cycle-count assessments using preexisting models.
Pneumatics System
Run and update SINDA/FLUINT models to determine cycle counts and characterize high-to-low pressure pneumatic reduction systems.
Update analyses to reflect evolving mission timelines.
Tank Models
Port existing tank thermodynamics models to new vehicle geometries and mission timelines.
Determine tank pressurization demand and bulk liquid warming during burns.
Provide recommendations for vent and reconditioning system sizing.
Feedline Models
Port existing feedline chilldown models to new feedline configurations.
Determine chilldown mass requirements to meet temperature targets.
Quantify liquid warming, post-burn bleed durations, orifice sizing, and vehicle heat loads.
Thermal Models
Develop detailed thermal models for fluids panels, instrumentation, tank penetrations, and associated hardware.
Apply boundary conditions and determine subsystem heat loads, including tank boiloff.
Vent Actuator Latency Analysis
Provide recommendations for vent-valve and actuator sizing.
Support definition of pressure-control logic and response characteristics.
Heat Exchanger Modeling
Develop detailed thermal models for heat exchangers and cooling subsystems.
Generate efficiency and effectiveness values to support design and sizing.
