Entry Systems Modeling Internship - Summer

Job Description:

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) invites applications for four highly motivated and detail-oriented interns to support the Entry Systems Modeling (ESM) effort under the Aircraft Systems and Spaceflight Engineering Support Services (ASSESS) contract at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). Interns will work on-site within the Thermal Protection Materials (TSM) Branch, part of the Entry Systems and Technology Division.

This is a 10-week, full-time internship running from June 1 to August 7, 2026, during which interns will perform focused research aligned with ongoing ESM technical objectives.

NASA's Entry Systems Modeling (ESM) project develops advanced computational approaches to improve predictions of the aerothermal environment encountered during spacecraft atmospheric entry, as well as the response of thermal protection system (TPS) materials to such environments. These methods rely on complex, validated simulation tools that reduce uncertainty, support mission risk reduction, improve landing precision, and enable lower-mass entry vehicle designs. For missions such as Mars Sample Return, the accuracy provided by advanced entry system modeling is a mission-enabling capability.

Applicants will be considered for one or more of the following projects. Candidates should indicate their preferred project(s) during the application process.

• Design of Experiments for Bulk Enthalpy Calculation of HyMETS Using Spectroscopy
• Unified Solver Coupled Radiation
• Application of Space-Time Discretization to Heat Transfer Problems
• Characterization of Emergent TPS Microstructures

Design of Experiments for Bulk Enthalpy Calculation of HyMETS Using Spectroscopy

This effort applies Bayesian experimental design techniques to optimize future experiments characterizing the NASA LaRC HyMETS facility in CO2. Using coupled simulations with NASA codes DPLR and NEQAIR, the intern will compute spectral signatures and flow-field temperatures to identify optimal experimental conditions that maximize information gain for measurable flow-field properties.

Unified Solver Coupled Radiation

This project aims to integrate the Unified Solver for Aerothermodynamics (USA) with the NASA radiation solver NERO to study radiative transfer between high-enthalpy flow and porous TPS materials. The analysis will quantify radiation-driven in-depth heating in materials undergoing pyrolysis, blowing, and oxidation. The research will focus on flow over a pyrolyzing cavity and compute divergence of radiative source terms for incorporation into the energy equation.

Application of Space-Time Discretization to Heat Transfer Problems

This research explores space-time discretization approaches for transient heat-transfer simulations involving heterogeneous materials with moving interfaces. Treating time as an additional dimension in a fully coupled formulation offers improved adaptability, natural interface-motion handling, and opportunities for time parallelization. The intern will develop a two-domain heat-transfer problem with prescribed interface motion and compare results against physics-informed neural network (PINN) models and analytical solutions.

Characterization of Emergent TPS Microstructures

The intern will assist with the analysis of TPS microstructures to support the development of micro-scale models. The materials of interest may include ablatives such as PICA-D, 3

MDCP, MERINO, and reusable materials.

• Duration: 10 weeks (June 1 - August 7, 2026)
• Location:
  
  NASA Ames Research Center (on-site attendance required)
• Compensation: $29.50/hr - $33.50/hr, commensurate with education level
• Number of Positions: 4

• Conduct independent research on the assigned topic throughout the internship period
• Provide regular verbal and/or written progress updates to the project mentor
• Prepare and deliver a final technical presentation to the division at the end of the internship

• Background in material-response modeling, hypersonic CFD, radiative heating, or micro-/meso-scale material modeling
• Strong foundation in numerical methods and scientific computing
• Proficiency in C++ and Python
• Experience with NASA modeling tools (e.g., PATO, Icarus, FIAT, DPLR, NEQAIR, US3D, NERO) is highly desirable
• Experience with micro-CT datasets and analysis software such as Dragonfly, VGStudio, Fiji/Image
  
  J, PuMA
• Familiarity with machine learning, parallel programming, or high-performance computing (HPC) is advantageous

• Enrollment in an accredited degree program in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline; M.S. or Ph.D. students preferred; advanced B.S. students considered
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Availability to work in person at NASA Ames for the full duration of the internship
• Must…