Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
6+ years of experience in spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering.
Proven expertise in spacecraft thermal control design and analysis.
Experience in developing and correlating thermal models for flight hardware.
Background in addressing high-power or high-heat-dissipation challenges.
Familiarity with thermal control hardware like radiators and heat pipes.
Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
Responsibilities
Define spacecraft thermal control architecture and evaluate thermal management options.
Perform thermal analyses for various spacecraft configurations and conditions.
Develop solutions for high-power-density electronics and significant heat dissipation.
Create first-order thermal models for design and simulation support.
Maintain and validate detailed thermal models using industry-standard tools.
Manage thermal budgets to ensure component temperatures meet qualification limits.
Plan and execute thermal vacuum testing, including test profiles and acceptance criteria.
Benefits
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge spacecraft technology.
Collaborative environment with cross-functional engineering teams.
Potential for involvement in high-volume spacecraft manufacturing.
Access to advanced thermal analysis tools and methodologies.
Full Job Description
Senior Thermal Engineer
Location: Los Angeles Area
Key Responsibilities
Define spacecraft thermal control architecture, evaluating passive thermal management, heat pipes, pumped fluid loops, and radiator sizing and placement.
Perform system-level and component-level thermal analyses across multiple spacecraft configurations and operating conditions.
Develop thermal management solutions for high-power-density electronics and payloads with significant heat dissipation requirements.
Develop first-order thermal models to support spacecraft design, simulation, and rapid engineering iteration.
Build, maintain, and validate detailed spacecraft thermal models using industry-standard analysis tools.
Establish and manage thermal budgets, ensuring component temperatures remain within qualification limits across orbital conditions.
Evaluate and select thermal coatings, insulation materials, and thermal control components.
Specify and procure thermal management materials and temperature sensors.
Plan and execute thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, including chamber requirements, test profiles, and acceptance criteria.
Correlate thermal models with environmental test data and refine designs based on results.
Support solar array thermal analysis and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
Contribute to thermal design of avionics and electronic assemblies, including power dissipation, interface temperatures, and mounting thermal resistance.
Support the development of repeatable thermal designs suitable for high-volume spacecraft manufacturing.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
6+ years of experience in spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering.
Demonstrated experience in spacecraft thermal control design and analysis, including passive and active thermal management systems.
Experience developing and correlating thermal models for flight hardware.
Background addressing high-power or high-heat-dissipation thermal challenges.
Knowledge of spacecraft thermal control hardware, including radiators, heat pipes, thermal straps, multilayer insulation (MLI), and thermal coatings.
Experience planning, executing, or supporting thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
Ability to contribute to early-stage spacecraft architecture decisions and develop engineering recommendations with evolving technical requirements.
Proficiency with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA, ESATAN, or equivalent software.
Preferred Qualifications
Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Experience supporting multi-spacecraft production programs or repeatable thermal designs.
Experience with high-power-density electronics and advanced thermal management solutions.
Thermal design experience involving payloads with variable operating conditions or duty cycles.
Experience with cryogenic systems or specialized thermal control technologies.
Experience taking spacecraft thermal systems from conceptual design through qualification and flight delivery.
