Lead Spacecraft Thermal Design Engineer

ALTEN; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance

Pension Scheme

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking a Senior Thermal Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis and validation of spacecraft thermal control systems in London. You will develop models, define control strategies and support testing to ensure mission-critical performance and reliability.

Work with multidisciplinary teams across space applications. Ideal candidates bring ~10+ years in space thermal design, proficiency with ESATAN-TMS or Thermal Desktop, and strong CAD/heat transfer knowledge.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the space sector, supporting spacecraft or satellite programmes.
• Approximately 10+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis for space applications.
• Proficiency with thermal analysis tools and 3D CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end thermal design and simulation for spacecraft components and subsystems.
• Build and validate detailed thermal models using specialist software.
• Define and implement thermal control strategies (active and passive).
• Support testing from component evaluation to full spacecraft system trials.
• Plan environmental qualification tests, including thermal vacuum campaigns.
• Participate in design reviews and engineering milestones.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with mechanical, systems, electrical, and propulsion teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers.

Skills

Space sector experience

Thermal design & analysis

ESATAN-TMS / Thermal Desktop

3D CAD

Heat transfer knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Tools

ESATAN-TMS

Thermal Desktop

3D CAD

Job description

ALTEN is seeking a Senior Thermal Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis and validation of spacecraft thermal control systems in London. You will develop models, define control strategies and support testing to ensure mission-critical performance and reliability.

Work with multidisciplinary teams across space applications. Ideal candidates bring ~10+ years in space thermal design, proficiency with ESATAN-TMS or Thermal Desktop, and strong CAD/heat transfer knowledge.