Thermal Engineer - Own the thermal architecture behind next-generation spacecraft from design through on-orbit operationDenver, Colorado | On-site
Opportunity SummaryThis role will own the thermal architecture and thermal-control strategy for advanced spacecraft hardware from initial requirements through analysis, qualification, flight, and on-orbit operation. You will be responsible for both the analytical and hardware sides of the discipline, including detailed thermal modeling, radiator and heater sizing, MLI, coatings, conductive interfaces, thermal-vacuum testing, and system-level trade studies. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, avionics, systems, and test engineers while serving as a technical authority for thermal performance across the program.
Job Duties- Own spacecraft thermal architecture from early requirements through qualification, flight, and on-orbit operation
- Define thermal requirements, operating limits, margins, and verification strategies across spacecraft systems
- Design, select, and size thermal-control hardware including radiators, MLI, heaters, thermostats, coatings, heat pipes, and conductive interfaces
- Build and maintain detailed spacecraft thermal models
- Perform steady-state and transient thermal analysis across mission phases
- Evaluate orbital heating environments including solar loading, albedo, planetary infrared, and eclipse transitions
- Size radiator area, heater power, and thermal-control hardware based on system requirements
- Perform trade studies that balance thermal performance with power, mechanical, avionics, and mission constraints
- Provide data-driven recommendations to guide spacecraft architecture and hardware design
- Support coupled thermal and structural assessments
- Plan and execute thermal-vacuum and thermal-balance test campaigns
- Define test-article configuration, instrumentation, and thermal test profiles
- Correlate analytical models with physical test data and improve model fidelity based on results
- Support hardware integration, troubleshooting, and thermal anomaly investigations
- Document thermal analyses, design decisions, and qualification results
- Mentor less-experienced engineers and help establish thermal engineering methods and best practices
Qualifications- Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 5+ years of spacecraft, aerospace, or similarly demanding thermal engineering experience
- Experience owning thermal-control hardware from design through testing and qualification
- Strong understanding of spacecraft thermal environments and heat-transfer fundamentals
- Experience sizing and selecting radiators, MLI, heaters, coatings, and conductive interfaces
- Proficiency with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or comparable thermal modeling tools
- Hands-on knowledge of thermal-control hardware and thermal interface materials
- Experience defining thermal requirements and allocating appropriate thermal margins
- Ability to translate thermal analysis into practical hardware and system design decisions
- Strong communication skills across mechanical, electrical, systems, avionics, and test disciplines
- Ability to independently solve complex technical problems in a fast-moving development environment
Preferred Experience- Thermal-vacuum and thermal-balance test planning, execution, and model correlation
- Proficiency with Python for thermal analysis, automation, or data processing
- Experience developing or maintaining custom thermal-analysis tools
- Understanding of battery and electronics thermal limits
- Experience defining heater-control, survival-heater, or thermostat strategies
- Familiarity with thermal design of spacecraft avionics and electronics
- Experience with heat pipes and other passive thermal transport systems
- Familiarity with optical surface properties, coatings, and radiator materials
- Experience integrating thermal-control hardware into mechanical assemblies
- Proficiency with CAD tools
- Familiarity with NASA or similar spacecraft thermal standards
- Experience with modular spacecraft, robotics, autonomous systems, or in-space assembly
- Previous experience in a startup or rapid hardware development environment
Why Join Us- Own the thermal architecture of spacecraft hardware from concept through on-orbit operation
- Work across analysis, thermal hardware, environmental testing, spacecraft integration, and flight
- Serve as a technical authority in a small engineering team with significant individual ownership
- Help shape spacecraft-level architecture through thermal trade studies and design decisions
- Build and qualify hardware for demanding launch and orbital environments
- Equity participation through stock options
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Three weeks of paid vacation
- Ten or more paid holidays annually
Compensation Details$100,000 - $150,000
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