Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly-motivated and hands-on Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll design and develop thermal control systems for telescope platforms and spacecraft. You’ll work with a multidisciplinary team of optical, electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure thermal stability and performance for ground-based and potential future space-based deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize thermal control systems for spacecraft and telescope platforms (e.g., radiators, heaters, insulation, thermal straps, and enclosures).

• Develop thermal models and perform detailed thermal analysis (steady-state and transient) across operational environments.

• Perform STOP analysis (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance) to verify system-level thermal stability and its impact on optical performance.

• Conduct FEA simulations for thermal, structural, and environmental conditions.

• Collaborate with optics, mechanical, and electrical teams to ensure proper thermal integration with imaging, tracking, and sensing subsystems.

• Define thermal requirements, margins, and verification strategies for system and subsystem performance.

• Support environmental testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, and validation of thermal models.

• Support the full product lifecycle, from concept design and prototyping to testing and production.

• Participate in and contribute to design reviews (PDR, CDR, etc.) and internal documentation.

• Provide engineering support during fabrication, integration, QC, and system validation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.

• 5+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace or high-performance systems.

• Strong understanding of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, convection, radiation).

• Experience with thermal analysis tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, or similar).

• Experience developing and validating thermal models for complex systems.

• Effective communicator and collaborator.

• Demonstrated passion for aerospace or observational technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft thermal control systems and space environments (LEO, GEO, or deep space).

• Understanding of FEA (ANSYS, Nastran, etc.), tolerance analysis, and DFM principles.

• Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, thermal cycling, and model correlation.

• Grasp of materials, coatings, surface properties, and thermal interface design.

• Understanding of system engineering workflows, interface control documents, and verification processes.

• Experience working in fast-paced, early-stage or startup environments.

• Basic scripting or automation (Python, MATLAB) for thermal modeling or data analysis.