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Description: Space and strategic defense systems operate in some of the most unforgiving environments imaginable. Success depends on precision – and thermal performance is often the difference between mission success and mission failure.
At Lockheed Martin Space, we are redefining resilience and speed through our 21st Century Security® vision. We don’t just build systems – we engineer survivability, performance, and reliability into every component. As a Level 4 Thermal Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader driving the thermal architecture of advanced missile systems from concept through qualification and production.
This position supports spacecraft, missile, hypersonic, or other advanced aerospace platforms operating in extreme and highly dynamic environments.
If you’re looking for ownership, influence, and the opportunity to solve complex, high-consequence engineering challenges – this role is built for you.
What does this role look like?
As a senior member of the thermal engineering team, you will lead and execute high-fidelity thermal analyses across missile components, subsystems, and fully integrated systems – including ground support equipment – throughout the entire lifecycle.
Your impact will include:
Owning end-to-end thermal modeling strategy using tools such as NX, Simcenter, SINDA/Fluent, and Thermal Desktop
Developing preliminary hand calculations and reduced-order models to inform early design trades before advancing to detailed simulations
Accounting for all relevant heating environments – conduction, convection, radiation (solar, Earth IR, albedo), aerodynamic heating, free molecular heating, and transient mission effects
Translating program requirements into actionable thermal design criteria and verification strategies
Leading technical reviews, presenting analysis results to customers, program leadership, and design teams
Driving thermal support for Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and environmental testing, including instrumentation strategy and data correlation
Partnering across structures, materials, propulsion, manufacturing, and quality to develop producible, cost-effective thermal solutions
Coordinating TPS design, material selection, and component-level thermal integration
This is a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment where your technical judgment and leadership will directly influence system-level performance.
Important Details
Successful candidate will have 5+ professional years of mechanical engineering experience within hypersonics or thermal
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
Significant professional experience in thermal analysis (thermophysics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, etc.)
Experience using industry-standard thermal analysis tools such as NX/Simcenter, Thermal Desktop, SINDA, ANSYS
Knowledge or experience developing and managing technical requirements
Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills grounded in mechanical engineering fundamentals
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, thus US Citizenship is required
Desired Skills:
Experience modeling complex missile or aerospace thermal environments in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) across full mission profiles
Familiarity with launch vehicle subsystems (Structure, TPS, Avionics, Propulsion, FTS)
Expertise in integrating transient and steady-state data from cross-functional teams into high-fidelity models
Experience coordinating with test teams to define instrumentation plans, conditioning approaches, and correlation strategies
Proficiency performing 1D TPS material thermal response modeling
Experience reviewing and approving vendor designs, analysis products, and test plans
Experience developing junior thermal engineers through on-the-job task delegation, product review, and coaching
Strong executive-level communication skills with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 9×80 every other Friday off
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $104,500 – $184,115. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $120,100 – $208,150. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 – 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.
With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.
If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs , and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: SPACE
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Mechanical Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First
