Life Support Systems (LSS) Thermal Engineer - (ALSSTE080626.1)

Cimarron is seeking an experienced Life Support Systems (LSS) Thermal Engineer, who will primarily be responsible for aiding Axiom’s Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (or ECLSS) team with the development, maturation, and operation of thermal-fluid spaceflight hardware to support the Axiom Station. This role will develop, iterate, and mature thermal system designs for low earth orbit environments by owning product delivery timelines through concept, design, fabrication, assembly, launch, on-orbit operation, and on-orbit services. This position reports to Life Support Systems Manager. This role is onsite and located in Houston, TX. 

Key Duties:

• Define and create modern space station thermal-fluid system standards and practices, driving Axiom to the forefront of station production and operation.
• Own design, development, integration, and verification of thermal-fluid hardware for crewed spaceflight applications.
• Lead design and production reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Stress, avionics, manufacturing) to ensure proper integration and meet mission requirements.
• Lead thermal system trade studies and architecture decisions balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, operability, schedule, and cost.
• Perform thermal-fluid system sizing and analysis for thermal-fluid hardware (radiators, pumps, heat exchangers, cold plates, accumulators, valves, regulators, lines, manifolds, and thermal interfaces).
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality.
• Generate and/or review CAD models engineering schematics, drawings, analysis, assessments, and procedures for components, assemblies, and integrated assembly.
• Develop and review thermal mathematical models and simulations to predict steady-state and transient thermal performance across all mission phases.
• Conduct thermal-fluid analyses including pressure drop calculations, flow balancing, heat transfer assessments, fluid network modeling, and system performance characterization.
• Validate designs by analysis or test, building development articles as needed.
• Support the manufacturing and assembly of hardware in the facility and through on-orbit operation.
• Communicating project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Implementing and maintaining agile project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Required Skills, Experience, and Education:

• Due to facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for consideration at this time.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment background check and drug screening, which will include but is not limited to testing for marijuana use.
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.
• 13 or more years experience working on thermal systems, or similar role preferred.
• Hands on experience building, testing, assembling, and/or integrating hardware.
• Experience designing & analyzing thermal systems (heat exchangers, radiators, cold plates), or fluid components (valves, regulators, pumps, lines, manifolds).
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.
• Strong understanding of space environments (grounding/bonding, thermal, vacuum, regolith) and how they affect design decisions.
• Experience in defining and implementing engineering standards, processes, and practices.
• Proficiency with mechanical design tools (NX, Creo, or Solidworks) and test analysis tools (Python, or equivalent).
• Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Uses good judgement to solve problems proactively, positively impacting hard challenges.
• Proven to deliver high quality results under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with flight hardware development and certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of NASA or commercial space program standards is preferred.
• Experience with CFD, FEA, or thermal modeling tools such as ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM , Thermal Desktop, SINDA/Fluint is preferred.
• Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems, including sensors, harness routing, connectors, and control hardware is preferred.
• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required.

Business Profile:

Cimarron is a global solutions company with a strategic partnering approach to satisfying customer-driven requirements. We ensure customer success with a modern approach and experienced leadership. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Cimarron is fueled by highly skilled employees, developing new innovative technologies, and delivering superior products and services. We believe in recognizing employees' worth by offering competitive salaries and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) contributions, educational reimbursement, and much more. From company communication through Company-wide information meetings led by our President and CEO, to an Awards program designed to recognize our amazing employees and their accomplishments, you will not only feel like you are a part of a team, you will be a valued member of the Cimarron family. Cimarron is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.