Principal Thermal Engineer

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

LASP at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a Thermal Engineer to lead the design and development of thermal control systems for spaceflight instruments and mission proposals. You will resolve complex thermal challenges, support full hardware lifecycles, and collaborate with scientists and engineers to ensure high-performance space instrumentation.

As part of CU Boulder, LASP offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to mentor students, contribute to NASA missions, and

Qualifications

• BS or higher degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of aerospace thermal engineering experience with Thermal Desktop or other analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for full cycle thermal subsystem design from initial concept through mission operations.
• Work closely with scientists and engineers in the design and development of spaceflight hardware.
• Generate thermal design requirements, manage thermal interfaces with customers.
• Perform thermal analysis of spaceflight hardware including passive and active systems, structures, electronics and cryogenic components.
• Present and defend the thermal control system design to review teams.
• Provide technical specs for procured or subcontracted items.
• Support assembly, integration, and test activities.
• Plan and direct thermal vacuum tests, develop test plans, and correlate post-test models.
• Support large proposals with thermal analyses, design, and budgeting.
• Mentor students and Level I-III thermal engineers; may supervise assistants.
• Be reviewer for other LASP programs.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Detail-oriented

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Summary

LASP is seeking a Thermal Engineer to lead the design and development of thermal control systems for spaceflight instruments and mission proposals. The role focuses on solving complex engineering challenges, developing innovative thermal control systems, and supporting the full lifecycle of flight hardware from concept through integration and testing. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to deliver reliable, high-performance space instrumentation for NASA and other space missions.

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder, LASP offers a unique environment that combines cutting-edge space science, engineering, mission operations, and student education. With a legacy of sending instruments to every planet in the solar system and Pluto, LASP provides opportunities to contribute directly to pioneering space exploration missions while mentoring and working alongside the next generation of aerospace professionals.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

LASP combines the agility of a university laboratory with the technical capability of a premier space mission organization. Engineers work directly alongside scientists, students, and mission operators, allowing technical decisions to move quickly while maintaining scientific excellence.

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), LASP began in 1948 and is a world-recognized space science research institute that implements the full life cycle of science missions from the definition of the science questions through the development of space flight hardware and the subsequent mission operations. We are the only research institute in the world to have sent science instruments to all eight planets, Pluto, and beyond the solar system.

LASP combines all aspects of space exploration through our expertise in science, engineering, mission operations, and scientific data analysis. As part of CU, LASP also works to educate and train the next generation of space scientists, engineers and mission operators by integrating undergraduate and graduate students into working teams. Our students take their unique experiences with them into government or industry or remain in academia to continue the cycle of exploration.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Responsible for full cycle thermal subsystem design from initial concept through mission operations.
• Work closely with scientists and engineers in the design and development of spaceflight hardware.
• Generate thermal design requirements, work with customers to establish and manage thermal interfaces.
• Perform thermal analysis of spaceflight hardware, including passive and active thermal control systems, structures, mechanisms, electronics, optical systems, and cryogenic components.
• Present and defend the thermal control system design to internal and external review teams.
• Provide technical specifications for procured or subcontracted items.
• Support assembly, integration, and test activities.
• Responsible for planning and directing thermal vacuum tests of spaceflight hardware, including test plan/procedure development, GSE, staffing, and post-test thermal model correlation.
• Support large proposals with thermal analyses, design, and budgeting.
• Provide mentoring for students and Level I-III thermal engineers.
• May supervise one or more student assistants.
• Be a reviewer for other programs within LASP.
• Other duties assigned.

What You Should Know

• Due to US Export Control restrictions, only US Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply.
• Fully remote working not allowed, hybrid schedule may be possible with approval from supervisor and project manager.

What We Can Offer

$160,000-$209,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• BS or higher degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of directly related experience in the field of aerospace thermal engineering and design is required as well asexperience with Thermal Desktop or other thermal analysistools.

What You Will Need

• Experience with thermal analysis software (preferably ThermalDesktop).
• Thermal vacuum testing experience: planning, execution, model correlation.
• Ability to function well in a team-based environment.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to show initiative, resourcefulness and creativity.
• Knowledgeable of spaceflight instruments and spacecraft.
• Ability to take personal responsibility for projects and work independently.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Familiarity with requirements generation and verification.
• Prior experience specifying, procuring, and installing thermal control hardware.
• Quick turn conceptual design experience for proposal work.
• Experience with CAD software (preferably SolidWorks).