Lead Spacecraft Thermal Engineer for AI Satellites

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Thermal Engineer (Spacecraft Analysis) to own the Starmind satellite thermal model and establish environments for the full lifecycle. You will drive radiator trade studies, budget allocations, and test correlations for high-density AI compute payloads in space.

You will collaborate with fluids analysts and hardware owners to refine margins and support design decisions, including automation of analysis workflows to handle evolving requirements and environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field required.
• 5+ years of professional experience in thermal analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own the vehicle-level thermal model for Starmind satellites.
• Define environments across entire vehicle lifecycle (ground test, launch, operations, disposal).
• Drive heat-rejection architecture trades: radiator area, mass, optical properties, heater/survival power.
• Own the system thermal budget: dissipation allocation, heater loads, min/max temps vs limits.
• Own integrated TVAC/thermal balance tests from inputs to post-test correlation.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Heat transfer

Python scripting

TVAC testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Thermal Engineer (Spacecraft Analysis) to own the Starmind satellite thermal model and establish environments for the full lifecycle. You will drive radiator trade studies, budget allocations, and test correlations for high-density AI compute payloads in space.

You will collaborate with fluids analysts and hardware owners to refine margins and support design decisions, including automation of analysis workflows to handle evolving requirements and environments.