Thermal Engineering intern

Infinite Orbits PTE Ltd.; Toulouse; Hybride; EUR 11 000 - 17 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Infinite Orbits PTE Ltd. in Toulouse is seeking a Space Thermal Engineering Intern to join the mechanical and thermal engineering team and contribute to the analysis, design, and validation of spacecraft thermal control systems.

You will perform thermal analyses using ESATAN, Simcenter 3D, ANSYS, and SolidWorks, size radiators and heaters, and help ensure thermal protection for space hardware while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in an international environment.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree or final year of an Engineering degree in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering.
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
• Interest in space systems and spacecraft thermal control.
• Basic knowledge of numerical simulation methods.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize technical data.

Responsabilités

• Support the development of spacecraft thermal architectures and thermal control concepts.
• Perform thermal analyses using specialized software tools (e.g. ESATAN, Simcenter 3D , ANSYS, or equivalent).
• Participate in the creation and validation of thermal mathematical models (TMM).
• Contribute to thermal sizing of radiators, heaters, insulation (MLI), and coatings.
• Assist in defining thermal requirements and budgets.
• Support preparation, execution, and analysis of thermal vacuum (TVAC) tests.
• Document analyses and results in technical reports and presentations.
• Investigate the subsystems capability to handle the harsh thermal environments of space during operations.

Connaissances

Heat transfer fundamentals

Space systems interest

Numerical simulation basics

Technical data analysis

Team collaboration

English communication

Formation

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Thermal Engineering

Final year Engineering student

Outils

ESATAN

Simcenter 3D

ANSYS

SolidWorks

ECSS standards knowledge

Description du poste

Established in 2017, Infinite Orbits is a NewSpace company, based in Toulouse, pushing the boundaries of in-orbit services with cutting-edge spacecraft driven by its own Rendez-Vous solution, an advanced Autonomous Vision-Based Navigation Solution. IO has two generations of missions

"Orbit Guard" provides Inspection and Space Situational Awareness services in GEO. Our first, OG-1 was launched on 1 May 2023, the second is launching in 2025 and the third third launching in 2026.

"Endurance" is a docking service capable of extending the life of GEO telecom satellites, by taking over AOCS takeover for 5 years.

About the Role

As a Space Thermal Engineering Intern , you will join the mechanical and thermal engineering team and contribute to the analysis, design, and validation of thermal control systems for spacecraft and space hardware.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical systems, propulsion systems and harness systems.

Job Description

Support the development of spacecraft thermal architectures and thermal control concepts.

Perform thermal analyses using specialized software tools (e.g. ESATAN, Simcenter 3D , ANSYS, or equivalent).

Participate in the creation and validation of thermal mathematical models (TMM).

Contribute to thermal sizing of radiators, heaters, insulation (MLI), and coatings.

Assist in defining thermal requirements and budgets.

Support preparation, execution, and analysis of thermal vacuum (TVAC) tests.

Document analyses and results in technical reports and presentations.

Investigate the subsystems capability to handle the harsh thermal environments of space during operations.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree or final year of an Engineering degree in:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Thermal Engineering
• or a related field.

Solid fundamentals in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).

Interest in space systems and spacecraft thermal control.

Basic knowledge of numerical simulation methods.

Ability to analyze and synthesize technical data.

Nice to have Technical Skills:

• Experience with thermal analysis tools (ESATAN, Simcenter 3D , ANSYS, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of space thermal hardware (MLI, heat pipes, radiators, louvers).
• Knowledge and experience in CAD softwares such as SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards.

Soft Skills:

• Analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Autonomy and curiosity.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English. French language is a plus.

What we offer

A creative and innovative work environment where ideas turn into reality.

Hands-on experience in real space projects.

Exposure to the full spacecraft development cycle.

Mentorship from experienced space thermal engineers.

A dynamic and international work environment.