General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Space Thermal Engineer

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering or related field, with progressive experience required (4-9 years depending on degree)
  • Familiarity with the satellite system life cycle including environmental testing and operations
  • Hands-on experience with TVAC and thermal balance testing
  • Proficient in thermal analysis of satellites, including interface resistances and materials
  • Skilled in thermal software tools like Thermal Desktop, SINDA, and FLUENT
  • Understanding of orbit mechanics and thermal design implications
  • Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

  • Conduct system engineering, technical design, and analysis focused on thermal systems throughout project life cycle
  • Design and specify thermal components such as heat pipes and radiators
  • Provide comprehensive thermal test support from planning to evaluation
  • Author and review thermal technical documents and reports
  • Assist in mission and operational development for satellite projects
  • Act as a key technical liaison within the engineering team and with external partners
  • Guide less experienced team members and lead project tasks

Benefits

  • Flexible 9x80 work schedule allowing every other Friday off
  • Encouragement of diverse backgrounds and experiences key to the company's culture
  • Opportunities for career advancement and project leadership roles
Full Job Description
Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an Experienced Space Thermal Engineer to join our team located in Englewood, CO. With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution to advanced technical engineering problems).

Evaluates the integration of the engineering solutions within the overall engineering environment; and ensures that appropriate documentation, testing and engineering updates completed. Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle, represents the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects, interacts with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations, and participates in the development of new or expansion of existing business.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • System engineering, technical design and analysis for studies and missions from bid generation, through to launch and operations, with a thermal system focus.
  • Perform thermal subsystem level design, including requirement analysis, mission analysis, and design trade-offs.
  • Design, specification for heat pipes, phase-change material systems, conduction bars, radiators, heaters, and cryogenic systems as well as test and ground support equipment.
  • Provide thermal test support including planning, writing test plans, predictions, testing, evaluation and correlation.
  • Responsible for authoring, review and release of various thermal CDRLs, reports and trade study documents.
  • Support the wider team in mission and operational concept development for satellite missions.
  • Liaise with all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters and support other teams / disciplines as necessary.
  • Represents the organization as a prime technical contact within the engineering team for assigned project(s)/program(s) and with supplier or customer meetings and presentations.
  • May function in an advisory or leadership role for a project/program and provide direction and guidance to less experienced professional staff or team of professional staff.
  • Formulates plans and guides the development and implementation of engineering solution(s) including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration and compliance and safety.
  • We offer a 9x80 work schedule where you will have every other Friday off.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

  • Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Familiarity with all aspects of the satellite system life cycle, including environmental test, launch, commissioning and operations.
  • Experience with TVAC and thermal balance testing, instrumentation, model tuning, test plans and procedures.
  • Experience with thermal analysis of satellites and related materials including interface resistances, coatings, radiators and solar panels.
  • Understanding of orbit mechanics and the impact of different orbits on satellite thermal design.
  • Experience with thermal analysis and software tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA and FLUENT
  • Familiarity with passive and active thermal management techniques.
  • Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
  • Strong communication (written and verbal), computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Previous experience and exposure to opto-mechanics, imaging and directed energy systems is beneficial.
  • Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required, active security clearance desired.

About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The company is headquartered in Poway, California, and has additional offices and facilities around the world.
Learn more about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1955

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Space Thermal Engineer jobs: