Mechanical Design Engineer - Thermal Focus

Kepler Communications; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is on a mission to enhance space connectivity through advanced satellite technology. They are seeking a skilled Mechanical Engineer with expertise in thermal design to contribute to the development of cutting-edge satellite subsystems. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, ensuring robust and reliable designs through rigorous analysis and testing. If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology and thrive in a dynamic R&D environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a significant impact in the space economy.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of thermal-mechanical design experience required.
• Experience with CAD tools and heat transfer design principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop thermal design solutions for satellite sub-systems.
• Generate documentation and support structural CAD design.

Skills

Thermal-mechanical design

Finite Element Analysis

Heat transfer principles

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

NX/Simcenter NASTRAN

Onshape

Creo

Solidworks

Job description

Kepler is on an audacious mission to deliver Internet connectivity to space, creating the infrastructure to support the rapidly increasing data needs of the space economy. With 23 satellites launched to date and our optical constellation on the horizon, our ambition is to improve access to space-generated data, whether in LEO, MEO, GEO, or beyond! Kepler is hard at work innovating and continuing to grow and expand our most important asset – the Team!

The mechanical engineering team at Kepler is staffed with mechanical designers of varying experience levels, able to handle mechanical work packages for subsystem and unit development. Designers are expected to play a generalist role, having a comprehensive view of a system’s mechanical aspects, including structural and thermal performance. As the complexity of a system increases, senior members of staff play an increasingly specialized role. Specific to mechanical engineering these specialized roles are Thermal Analyst, Structural Analyst, and Mechanical Architect. Typically, these roles exist at a spacecraft level system or higher depending on program definition.

Responsibilities:

• Focus on development of thermal design solutions for satellite sub-systems from initial concept through flight qualification.
• Ensure robust designs through calculation and analysis demonstrating and documenting margins of safety against temperature limits for components in various power handling modes.
• Establish reliable heat transfer mechanisms to system boundaries.
• Work closely with other cross-functional engineering teams (RF, electrical, systems, etc.) to develop full product solutions.
• Identify requirement verification methods and establish plans to mitigate technical risks through
• analysis, test, etc.
• Generate documentation required to substantiate designed solutions, including drawings and design analysis reports.
• Support structural CAD design of subsystems as needed.
• Own prototype build and test to identify key areas for improvement.
• Act as peer or lead reviewer providing technical oversite on other active designs.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant thermal-mechanical design experience.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience in design principles for heat transfer and temperature control.
• Experience in verifying designs through Finite Element Analysis and testing (NX/Simcenter NASTRAN Thermal & Space Systems Thermal preferred).
• Experience with one or more CAD tools (Onshape, Creo, Solidworks, etc.).
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturing practices.
• Strong communication and documentation skills working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfortable in an R&D lab environment.
• Comfortable using basic hand and power tools.

Bonus Points:

• Experience in satellite thermal analysis.
• Familiarity with ESA ECSS or NASA thermal Standards.
• PEng eligibility.

Kepler Communications is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from: Women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and others who may contribute to diversification in our workplace.

As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons with disabilities, Kepler will, upon the request of the applicant, provide accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact our People & Culture team, through our Career Page to make your accommodation needs known and we will consult with you to ensure suitable accommodation is provided.