The Junior Thermal/Stress Engineer supports the analysis and validation of aerospace structures and components subjected to thermal and mechanical loads. Working under the supervision of senior engineers, this role involves performing basic stress and thermal simulations, preparing technical documentation, and contributing to the design and test efforts for aircraft and spacecraft systems operating in extreme environments.
Key Responsibilities:
Assist in conducting thermal and structural analyses on aerospace components exposed to high-altitude, re-entry, launch, or in-orbit conditions
Support the development of finite element models for thermal and stress simulations using industry-standard tools
Perform preliminary sizing and evaluation of aerospace structures under combined thermal and mechanical loads
Contribute to test planning and data correlation efforts, including thermal cycling, static load testing, and thermal-vacuum testing
Support verification of hardware performance against customer and regulatory requirements
Help document analysis results, prepare technical reports, and participate in design reviews
Coordinate with design, materials, systems, and test teams to resolve thermal and stress-related issues during development
Learn and apply relevant aerospace standards, methods, and best practices
Key Focus Areas:
Basic thermal and structural analysis of aerospace components
Finite Element Modeling (FEM) and simulation support
Cross-disciplinary collaboration with design and test engineers
Documentation and technical reporting
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (required)
Coursework or internships focused on structural mechanics or thermal sciences preferred
Experience:
0–2 years of relevant experience (internships, co-ops, or academic projects in aerospace a plus)
Exposure to aircraft or spacecraft development environments preferred
Technical Skills:
Basic knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or Thermal Desktop
Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA) for geometry review
Understanding of stress, thermal, and vibration fundamentals
Proficiency in Excel, MATLAB, or Python for post-processing and data analysis
Soft Skills:
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
Willingness to learn in a fast-paced engineering environment
Effective communication and teamwork skills
Curious, proactive, and adaptable to technical challenges