Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer

Intuitive Machines; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Lanteris Space Systems is seeking a Principal Thermal Analyst to lead spacecraft thermal analyses from proposal through on-orbit operations. You’ll work with the Thermal Engineering team in Palo Alto, CA, with possible remote work within the U.S., utilizing Thermal Desktop and collaborating with propulsion, power, avionics, and other subsystems.

The role emphasizes development of advanced thermal models, data correlation, and technical reporting for diverse flight hardware and test activities.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical/aerospace engineering; four extra years may substitute.
• 15 years of relevant experience; a master's adds 5 years; a PhD adds 7 years.
• Specialist in thermal finite difference/element modeling with Thermal Desktop.
• Specialist in radiative/conductive heat transfer for spacecraft thermals.

Responsibilities

• Develop/refine thermal models of spacecraft using Thermal Desktop.
• Correlate models with ground test and on-orbit data.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and present to small groups.
• Define requirements for flight/ground thermal hardware (heaters, sensors, heat pipes, MLI).
• Use heat transfer fundamentals to sanity-check complex models.
• Assist design trades considering cost, manufacturability, schedule, reliability.
• Support Lead Thermal Engineers in defining requirements.
• Manage uncertainty in analysis and parameter sensitivity.
• Participate in thermal R&D projects for space tech.
• Support quick turnaround work for proposals early design phase.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects.
• Ensure inputs are understood and communicate outputs clearly.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Finite difference/element modeling

Heat transfer concepts

Independent work

Proposal support

System leadership

Education

BS in mechanical/aerospace engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Creo

Job description

Please review the job details below.

Lanteris Space Systems is currently seeking an experienced Principal Thermal Analyst to join our Thermal Engineering team in Palo Alto, CA. This role may also be performed remotely within the U.S. In this role, you will work closely with our Thermal Engineering team to develop spacecraft thermal solutions for all phases of the spacecraft life cycle: proposal, design, assembly, ground testing including thermal vacuum testing, launch, and on-orbit operations. Your focus will be on thermal analysis of spacecraft using Thermal Desktop but you will also be collaborating with other spacecraft subsystems and disciplines including propulsion, power, avionics, attitude control, structural/mechanical, RF communications, and orbital dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine finite difference/element thermal models of entire spacecraft and lower-level assemblies/components using Thermal Desktop
• Correlate thermal models with ground test and on-orbit data
• Prepare detailed technical reports of work performed and present to small groups of co-workers
• Define requirements for flight and ground test thermal hardware such as heaters, temperature sensors, heat pipes, and multilayer insulation
• Leverage radiative and conductive heat transfer fundamentals to perform back-of-the-envelope calculations to complement and sanity-check complex thermal models
• Gather inputs for and perform design trades which assess cost, manufacturability, schedule, and reliability impacts of different technical solutions
• Assist Lead Thermal Engineers in defining and interpreting requirements
• Manage ambiguity by understanding and accounting for analysis uncertainty including but not limited to parameter sensitivity studies
• Participate in thermal R&D projects at the forefront of space-based thermal technology
• Support quick turnaround work for proposals in the nascent phase of design
• Contribute to continuous improvement (CI) projects
• Ensure all inputs are understood and clearly communicate requirements and analysis outputs

Minimum Requirements

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• BS in mechanical/aerospace engineering or related discipline. Four additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• 15 years of relevant experience. A master's degree may account for five years of experience. A PhD may account for 7 years of experience.
• Specialist/expert in thermal finite difference/element modeling techniques using Thermal Desktop
• Specialist/expert in radiative and conductive heat transfer for spacecraft thermal analysis; exceptionally accomplished in applying heat transfer knowledge to perform calculations for a vast array of highly specialized and complex thermal analysis problems in spacecraft design
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments; can supervise other thermal analysts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with pumped fluid loops
• Creo experience
• Effective verbal and written communication, organization, project/time management, attention to detail, and leadership skills

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $146,000.00 - $244,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $146,000.00 - $244,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $146,000.00 - $244,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $161,000.00 - $269,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within California is: $168,000.00 - $280,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.