Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

The Exploration Company; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Spacecraft Thermal Verification Engineer in Munich to lead TVAC and Thermal Balance campaigns, coordinate instrumentation and verification activities, and ensure quality across the Nyx program.

Role requires MSc/PhD in aerospace/mechanical engineering and 10+ years of space thermal experience, with fluency in English and collaboration with AIT, System Engineering and test facilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in spacecraft thermal engineering.
• Proven experience leading Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance campaigns.
• Experience with Spacecraft qualification and acceptance programs.
• Experience supporting spacecraft assembly, integration and test activities.
• Strong understanding of thermal control systems and their implementation (MLI, Temperature sensors, Heaters, Pumped Fluid Loops).
• Experience working with suppliers and external test facilities.
• Experience with thermal instrumentation, DAQ systems and test facility interfaces.
• Experience with test‑data processing tools, preferably Python, MATLAB or equivalent.
• Fluent in English; German, French and Italian are assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance Campaigns: define objectives, verification logic and success criteria.
• Develop test plans, procedures and operational concepts with other functional chains and AIT.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews, Test Review Board and NCR Board.
• Drive anomaly investigations and technical decision‑making during testing.
• Present campaign status and recommendations to project leadership.
• Deliver test reports and verification evidence packages.
• Own Thermal Test Verification Strategy and ensure verification closure.

Skills

Spacecraft thermal engineering

Thermal Vacuum campaigns

Thermal Balance campaigns

Spacecraft qualification

Test facilities coordination

Python

MATLAB

Instrumentation & DAQ

Thermal instrumentation

English fluency

Education

MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

DAQ systems

Python

MATLAB

Test facilities

Job description

Here at the company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

We are seeking an experienced Spacecraft Thermal Verification Engineer to join our Thermal Control System team. You will be the technical lead for the preparation, execution and exploitation of thermal verification activities by test across the Nyx program. You will own spacecraft-level thermal test campaigns, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Thermal Balance testing, support AIT with the Thermal Control System Flight Model integration and verification, coordinate thermal qualification activities with other sub-systems, and ensure compliance with spacecraft verification requirements.

You will work closely with System Engineering, AIT, Test facilities, Program, Avionics and Propulsion. You will be part of the TCS & ECLSS Team and will report to the Principal Thermal Control System Engineer.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance Campaigns

Define test objectives, verification logic and success criteria of the Nyx system TVAC campaign

• Develop test plans, test procedures and operational concepts with other functional chains and AIT

• Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews, Test Review Board and NCR Board

• Lead test logic and execution of spacecraft, subsystem and components thermal test campaigns.

• Drive anomaly and NCR investigations and technical decision‑making during testing.

• Present campaign status and recommendations to project leadership.

• Deliver test reports and verification evidence packages

Own Thermal Test Verification Strategy

Ensure thermal requirements are properly verified through test, inspection or demonstration.

• Build and maintain verification events.

• Drive verification closure toward Qualification Review and Flight Readiness Review.

• Support Technical Reviews, Design Reviews and Qualification Reviews.

• Ensure TCS verification activities by tests remain aligned with program priorities, schedules and risks.

Support Flight Model Integration and AIT

Work alongside AIT teams during spacecraft assembly and integration.

• Define thermal instrumentation strategies and test configurations.

• Support installation, verification and troubleshooting of thermal hardware.

• Participate in integrated spacecraft functional testing.

• Support leak testing, functional testing, fluid loop commissioning and system check‑outs.

Drive Thermal Test Data Exploitation

Support pre‑test thermal predictions.

• Analyze thermal test results.

• Assess subsystem and spacecraft performance.

• Identify design improvements and operational recommendations.

• Ensure lessons learned are captured and disseminated across the organization.

What We Are Looking For

Required Experience

MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics or equivalent.

• 10+ years' experience in spacecraft thermal engineering

• Proven experience leading Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance campaigns.

• Experience with Spacecraft qualification and acceptance programs

• Experience supporting spacecraft assembly, integration and test activities.

• Strong understanding of thermal control systems and their implementation (MLI, Temperature sensors, Heaters, Pumped Fluid Loops...)

• Experience working with suppliers and external test facilities.

• Experience with thermal instrumentation, DAQ systems and test facility interfaces

• Experience with test‑data processing tools, preferably Python, MATLAB or equivalent

• Fluent in English. German, French and Italian are an asset

Skills & Behavior

Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong analysis and problem‑solving skills

• Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks

• Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done

• Demonstrates behaviors consistent with the company's core values of Vision, Competence, Integrity and Passion

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at the company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We're Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind

• We're Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It's a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

the company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. the company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third‑party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.