Principal Thermal Design Engineer

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 295,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space seeks an experienced spacecraft thermal engineer to drive detailed thermal design and analysis for satellite subsystems. You will develop thermal models, run tests, and work with cross-disciplinary teams to optimize thermal control hardware for performance and reliability.

You will use Thermal Desktop, Ansys, and Python for automation, contributing to in-orbit operations and test campaigns, including TVAC and thermal cycling.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience with satellite thermal design and analysis.
• Experience with radiative and conductive thermal modeling of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop.
• Experience with selection, sizing, and design of thermal control hardware including heat pipes, heaters, stickers, OSR, thermal straps, thermal paints, tapes, MLI, TEC.
• Experience with thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing including predictions, setup, instrumentation and thermal model correlation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the spacecraft including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, and surface coating
• Partner with Avionics teams to develop thermal models and thermal tests for electronic assemblies
• Work with the GNC teams to define and thermally analyze nominal and contingency cases for in-orbit operations of the spacecraft
• Develop and maintainthermal models for spacecraft and sub-components using Thermal Desktop and Ansys
• Interface with vendors and launcher providers to understand their design and translate it into thermal-related requirements
• Automate data analysis to support architectural trades effectively
• Set up and execute thermal testing ranging from development to qualification

Skills

Satellite thermal design

Thermal modeling

Thermal Desktop

Ansys IcePak

Python automation

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Ansys IcePak

Python

MATLAB

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You will be a core driver of the detailed thermal design of spacecraft subsystems by running thermal analysis at both the componentand spacecraft level. You will also be involved in exploring different thermal management strategies and demonstratingthem through test campaigns. Our ideal candidate has experience with in-orbit integrated thermal analysis of spacecraft components using both first principles as well analytical models using software tools (such as Thermal Desktop, AnsysIcePak, and Python for automation purposes). Hands-on experience with thermal testing for spacecraft components such as thermal cycling and TVAC is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the spacecraft including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, and surface coating
• Partner with Avionics teams to develop thermal models and thermal tests for electronic assemblies
• Work with the GNC teams to define and thermally analyze nominal and contingency cases for in-orbit operations of the spacecraft
• Develop andmaintainthermal models for spacecraft and sub-components using Thermal Desktop and Ansys
• Interface with vendors and launcher providers to understand their design and translate it into thermal-related requirements
• Automate data analysis to support architectural trades effectively
• Set up and execute thermal testing ranging from development to qualification

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience with satellite thermal design and analysis
• Demonstrated experience with radiative and conductive thermal modeling of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop
• Experience with selection, sizing, and design of thermal control hardware includingheat pipes, heaters, stickers, OSR, thermal straps, thermal paints, tapes, MLI, TEC
• Experience with thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing including predictions, setup,instrumentationand thermal model correlation

Nice to Have

• Experience with full-vehicle thermal vacuum testing and model correlation
• Experience with spacecraft thermal designoptimizedfor cost, reliability,performanceand manufacturability
• Experience with integrated thermal analysis of spacecraft and rocket
• Experience with solar panel thermal modeling
• Experience with electrical PCBA thermal modeling and thermal interface materials (thermal grease, gap pads, etc.)
• Experience with spacecraft primary radiator design and analysis
• Familiarity with SMC-S016 standard or equivalent
• Experience with Python, C/C++, orMatlabfor thermal modeling and automated data analysis

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $295,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto:knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many otherperks

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in K2 Space ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A 'disabled veteran' is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A 'recently separated veteran' means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An 'active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran' means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An 'Armed forces service medal veteran' means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.