Lead Mechanical & Thermal Systems Engineer (Spacecraft)

Loud Solutions; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match and vesting

Job summary

Confidential Space Company is seeking an experienced Mechanical & Thermal Engineer to lead the mechanical/thermal design of the core bus and payload pods, owning the master CAD model, enforcing interface discipline, and managing cross-subsystem integration from concept through TVAC readiness.

You will perform FEA for launch loads, develop mass budgets, define thermal interfaces across subsystems, and drive the TVAC test campaign, reporting directly to the CTO and Chief Engineer in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• MS or BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in spacecraft mechanical or thermal engineering, with hands-on involvement in at least one satellite program from PDR through launch
• Experience performing spacecraft structural FEA (launch loads, modal analysis, random vibration, shock) using ANSYS Mechanical, Nastran, or equivalent
• Experience developing and running spacecraft thermal models using ANSYS Thermal Desktop, ESATAN-TMS, or equivalent; familiarity with orbital heat flux environments
• Proficiency in 3D CAD for spacecraft structural design and assembly modelling; experience managing complex multi-body assemblies and enforcing configuration control
• Experience developing and maintaining system-level mass budgets and tracking mass margin against launch vehicle constraints
• Familiarity with spacecraft materials selection, surface coatings, MLI design, and environmental compatibility (ECSS or equivalent standards)
• U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and thermal design of the core bus and payload pods
• Own master CAD model and gatekeeper of mechanical interfaces
• Perform launch-load FEA and mass margin tracking
• Develop TVAC test campaign and analysis
• Define thermal interfaces with all subsystems
• Coordinate with CTO and Chief Engineer on design decisions

Skills

FEA analysis

Thermal modeling

3D CAD design

Mass budgeting

Interface control

Material selection

Education

MS/BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

ANSYS Thermal Desktop

ESATAN-TMS

CATIA/SolidWorks

Job description

Confidential Space Company is seeking an experienced Mechanical & Thermal Engineer to lead the mechanical/thermal design of the core bus and payload pods, owning the master CAD model, enforcing interface discipline, and managing cross-subsystem integration from concept through TVAC readiness.

You will perform FEA for launch loads, develop mass budgets, define thermal interfaces across subsystems, and drive the TVAC test campaign, reporting directly to the CTO and Chief Engineer in a fast-paced