Thermal Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

Spacex; Redmond; On-site; AUD 143,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Thermal Engineer for Starlink to design and validate thermal systems for satellite hardware and custom chips. You will guide decisions to boost Starlink performance and reliability, from high-level analysis to ground-test validation.

The role requires hands-on experience with chip thermal design tools, scripting, and effective communication to meet aggressive schedules and mission-critical deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1y+ industry experience (internships/co-ops can apply).
• Experience with chip thermal design tools such as Flotherm or Icepak.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench.
• 3D and reduced order thermal modeling proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Thermal design of satellite components from initial analysis to ground/test validation.
• Thermal design of semiconductor packages including simulations and lab tests.
• Create and run tests to validate hardware under extreme conditions.
• Automate workflows to reduce design-cycle investment.
• Identify sizing cases and assess design decision impacts.
• Review peer work and produce quality documentation.

Skills

Thermal modeling

Scripting languages

Communication skills

Design validation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

Flotherm

Icepak

Thermal Desktop

ANSYS Workbench

Job description

the company was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

THERMAL ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

At the company we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a thermal engineer, you are responsible for the thermal design, test, and validation of Starlink satellite hardware and custom developed chips. You will make engineering decisions to improve the vehicle and increase the performance of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Thermal design of satellite components, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital data

• Thermal design of semiconductor packages, from high level concepts to detail thermal simulations and lab testing

• Devise, build and run tests to validate the performance of the hardware in extreme conditions

• Automate workflow to reduce engineering investment in the design cycle

• Pursue performance/robustness improvements

• Pursue operational simplicity and seek to reduce burden on other groups at the company

• Produce quality documentation of your work to reduce miss-rate and improve efficiency

• Review peer work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

• 1y+ industry experience (internships/co-ops can apply)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with tools for chip thermal design like Flotherm or Icepak

• 1+ years of experience using scientific programming languages (including internships)

• Experience with Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench

• Experience with 3D and reduced order thermal modeling

• Ability to identify sizing cases and quickly evaluate the impact of design decisions

• Working knowledge of scripting languages

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135