Thermal Analysis Engineer

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About The Role

The Thermal Analysis Engineer serves as a key member of the vehicle engineering team to develop thermal architectures and provide hardware design requirements for all of Varda’s space vehicles. This position will drive spacecraft hardware design and testing, from the vehicle level down to the component level. This highly team-oriented role will provide exposure to all aspects of spacecraft analysis and design. A proactive problem-solving approach and commitment to meeting tight schedules are critical to supporting Varda's goals of expanding manufacturing capabilities and reentry systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated thermal analysis models for Varda’s space vehicles. 

• Work collaboratively with other spacecraft disciplines to define thermal hardware requirements and iterate on designs based on simulation results

• Publish flight predictions and provide actionable guidance larger engineering team

• Ensure spacecraft remains within operating and survival limits during all mission phases via passive and active thermal control. Seek solutions that provide operational simplicity and system robustness.

• Create and maintain tools/systems for thermal simulation and flight data processing

• Inform component level acceptance and qualification tests, as well as directing vehicle level TVAC test campaigns.

• Post-flight correlations to assess performance and improve thermal models.

• Work open ended problems to inform technical decisions, balancing efficiency and fidelity.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related discipline with a minimum of 3+ years of related professional experience

• Familiarity with passive and active thermal control systems.

• Experience in detailed thermal analysis and troubleshooting in programs such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, MSC Nastran.

• Experience in MATLAB (or equivalent) for data processing and task automation. 

• Ability to structure open ended problems and perform system balance sizing with hand calcs or simplified simulations.

• Experience in 0D and 1D thermal and/or fluid networks.

• Familiarity with thermal margins and qualification test requirements in SMC-S-016 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interdisciplinary technical communication (structures, avionics, software, production, GNC, etc.)

• Experience in project management/leadership for a multidisciplinary design or test campaign

• Ability to successfully respond to evolving requirements in a fast-moving organization 

• Excitement about making history at the forefront of both the space and pharmaceutical industries

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience of the entire project lifecycle of a spacecraft, from initial concept to mission success

• Familiarity with typical spacecraft thermal control technologies (e.g. heat pipes, pumped fluid systems, thermal blankets, optical coatings, etc.)

• Experience in thermal design and analysis of reentry systems

• A track record of taking ownership of projects and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline

Pay Range

• $110,000 - $150,000 per year

• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA

• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance

• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR Requirements

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Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)

Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side

• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)

• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)

• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)

• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental

• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.

• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

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