Principal Thermal Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Transit ECO Pass

Job summary

LASP at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks a Thermal Engineer to lead thermal control system design for spaceflight instruments and mission proposals. You will solve complex challenges, develop innovative thermal systems, and support flight hardware from concept through testing.

As part of CU Boulder, LASP offers opportunities to work with multidisciplinary teams on NASA missions, mentor students, and contribute to cutting-edge space exploration programs while advancing your career in a

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 10 years directly related experience in aerospace thermal engineering and design.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop or other thermal analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead full cycle thermal subsystem design from concept through mission operations.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers on spaceflight hardware design.
• Generate thermal requirements and manage thermal interfaces with customers.
• Perform thermal analysis of spaceflight hardware including passive/active systems.
• Present and defend thermal design to review teams.
• Provide technical specifications for procured items.
• Support assembly, integration, and test activities.
• Plan and direct thermal vacuum tests, develop test procedures, and correlate models.
• Support large proposals with thermal analyses, design, and budgeting.
• Mentor students and junior engineers; supervise assistants if needed.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Thermal testing

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Initiative

Spaceflight knowledge

Independence

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Summary

LASP is seeking a Thermal Engineer to lead the design anddevelopment of thermal control systems for spaceflight instrumentsand mission proposals. The role focuses on solving complexengineering challenges, developing innovative thermal controlsystems, and supporting the full lifecycle of flight hardware fromconcept through integration and testing. The successful candidatewill collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists andengineers to deliver reliable, high-performance spaceinstrumentation for NASA and other space missions.

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder, LASP offers a uniqueenvironment that combines cutting-edge space science, engineering,mission operations, and student education. With a legacy of sendinginstruments to every planet in the solar system and Pluto, LASPprovides opportunities to contribute directly to pioneering spaceexploration missions while mentoring and working alongside the nextgeneration of aerospace professionals.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

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

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), LASP began in1948 and is a world-recognized space science research institutethat implements the full life cycle of science missions from thedefinition of the science questions through the development ofspace flight hardware and the subsequent mission operations. We arethe only research institute in the world to have sent scienceinstruments to all eight planets, Pluto, and beyond the solarsystem.

LASP combines all aspects of space exploration through ourexpertise in science, engineering, mission operations, andscientific data analysis. As part of CU, LASP also works to educateand train the next generation of space scientists, engineers andmission operators by integrating undergraduate and graduatestudents into working teams. Our students take their uniqueexperiences with them into government or industry or remain inacademia to continue the cycle of exploration.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Responsible for full cycle thermal subsystem design frominitial concept through mission operations.
• Work closely with scientists and engineers in the design anddevelopment of spaceflight hardware.
• Generate thermal design requirements, work with customers toestablish 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 ofspaceflight 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 thermalengineers.
• 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 andPermanent Residents may apply.
• Fully remote working not allowed, hybrid schedule may bepossible with approval from supervisor and project manager.

What We Can Offer

$160,000-$209,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well-being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs throughthe CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• BS or higher degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, orrelated technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of directly related experience in the fieldof 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, modelcorrelation.
• Ability to function well in a team-based environment.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to show initiative, resourcefulness andcreativity.
• Knowledgeable of spaceflight instruments and spacecraft.
• Ability to take personal responsibility for projects and workindependently.

What We Would Like You to Have

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