Senior Thermal Engineer

ALTEN; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Thermal Design Engineer to lead the design and validation of spacecraft thermal control systems. Ideal candidates have a strong space industry background with 10+ years of thermal design experience. Responsibilities include developing thermal strategies and supporting testing. The position offers a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private Medical Insurance

Pension Scheme

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience working within the space sector, supporting spacecraft or satellite programmes.
• Approximately 10+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis for space applications.
• Experience planning and conducting thermal and environmental testing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end thermal design and simulation process for spacecraft components.
• Define and implement effective thermal control strategies for space applications.
• Support testing, including thermal vacuum campaigns, and review results for performance.

Skills

Thermal analysis tools

Heat transfer mechanisms

Spacecraft design

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Thermal Engineering

Tools

ESATAN-TMS

Thermal Desktop

3D CAD software

Job description

Company Description

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you want to make a difference?

You could be one of our 54k+ colleagues in over 30 countries working on inspiring projects in the most innovative companies.

Join us and start building tomorrow's world today!

Job Description

What will you be doing?

We're seeking an experienced Senior Thermal Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and validation of spacecraft thermal control systems. You'll play a key role in developing models, defining control strategies, and supporting testing to ensure mission-critical performance and reliability. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll help deliver innovative thermal solutions that meet the demanding requirements of space applications.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the end-to-end thermal design and simulation process for spacecraft components and subsystems.
• Build and validate detailed thermal models using specialist engineering software.
• Define and implement effective thermal control strategies using both active and passive methods, such as heat pipes, radiators, insulation, and heaters.
• Support all levels of testing, from component evaluation to full spacecraft system trials.
• Plan and oversee environmental qualification tests, including thermal vacuum campaigns, and review results to verify performance.
• Participate in key engineering milestones, design reviews, and technical discussions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure all thermal systems comply with internal standards, performance targets, and customer expectations.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including mechanical, systems, electrical, and propulsion engineers to ensure seamless integration.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring less experienced engineers, and encouraging best practice across the team.
• Produce and maintain high-quality engineering documentation, including test procedures, reports, specifications, and technical drawings.

Who are we looking for?

You are a highly skilled engineer with a strong space industry background, confident in taking ownership of complex thermal challenges. You bring hands‑on experience in spacecraft design, excellent analytical thinking, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.

You are...

• Passionate about engineering
• Result‑oriented
• Proactive

Qualifications

Essential: Proven experience working within the space sector, supporting spacecraft or satellite programmes.

Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a closely related field (Master's preferred).

Approximately 10+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis for space applications.

Proficiency in thermal analysis tools (such as ESATAN‑TMS, Thermal Desktop, or similar) and 3D CAD software.

Strong understanding of heat transfer mechanisms, space environments, and thermal control design principles.

Experience planning and conducting thermal and environmental testing campaigns.

Familiarity with flight hardware development and qualification processes.

Excellent communication, documentation, and teamwork skills.

Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Experience mentoring or technically guiding other engineers is advantageous.

Additional Information

Why join us?

We foster a community of dually talented individuals who are both entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Our teams embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling us to develop solutions most efficiently.

Our commitment to sustainable growth is unwavering, and we continuously strive for accelerated transformation and continuous improvement. Through ALTEN labs, mentoring programs, internal universities, and more, we are always pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities.

We offer incredible opportunities to join inspiring projects in the most innovative companies.

We prioritise your career development with personalised support plans tailored to your own aspirations. We're here to empower you and help you reach your full potential.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A chance to work on the most exciting engineering projects and technologies along with Premium Customers
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• A competitive salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle‑to‑work Scheme among many additional benefits
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Videos To Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkxOA3gn_R4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNPH_sAEOn0