Research & Development Engineer

Paragon Space Development Corp.; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Paragon Space Development Corporation seeks a Battery R&D Engineer to develop battery technologies for aerospace and terrestrial uses, focusing on nominal thermal control and thermal runaway mitigation. The role leads requirements, architectures, and detailed specs, and guides testing, analysis, and supplier engagement across projects.

The candidate will plan research initiatives, evaluate performance, and communicate results to customers and partners, with opportunities to contribute to future

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/Doctorate in relevant engineering fields with 3+ years for PhD or 5+ years for Bachelor's.
• Experience leading proposals for US government customers or primes.
• Experience with thermal control system analysis and design.

Responsibilities

• Lead generation and analysis of system requirements; develop architectural approaches and detailed specifications for novel technologies.
• Oversee design, testing and analysis activities to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Support supplier management with make/buy recommendations and coordinate engineering support throughout the lifecycle of the product.
• Plan research projects to develop concepts for future product designs and meet projected requirements.
• Present technical findings to customers and their technical advisors.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

System requirements analysis

Battery thermal design

Thermal management

Prototype development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical/Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Master's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical/Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Doctorate in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical/Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Thermal Desktop

FloCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

As Paragon Space Development Corporation celebrates over 33 years of delivering life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments, we remain focused on what drives our success: our people. By any measure, Paragon is an exciting, dynamic, and rewarding place to build your career. Our goal is simple—hire exceptional talent and empower you to do work you truly enjoy.

Paragon is advancing a broad range of thermal control technologies, including integrated systems for orbital habitats, spacesuits, lunar in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems, and battery thermal-runaway containment enclosures. We also develop component-level solutions such as cryogenic fluid storage systems, atmospheric revitalization technologies, water recovery systems, coldplates, and high-turndown radiators. Learn more about what we do on our website.

Paragon seeks a battery R&D engineer (can be based in Tucson, Houston or Denver) who will develop battery technologies for both aerospace and terrestrial applications with a focus on nominal thermal control and thermal runaway mitigation. The R&D engineer leads generation and analysis of system requirements and development of architectural approaches and detailed specifications for novel technologies in a hands-on environment. The R&D engineer leads development of high-level and detailed proposals and design concepts consistent with requirements and specifications. The R&D engineer oversees design, testing and analysis activities. They identify, track and status technical performance to measure progress and ensure compliance with requirements. The R&D engineer also leads activities in support of Supplier Management with make/buy recommendations and coordinates engineering support throughout the lifecycle of the product. Critically, the R&D engineer is responsible for the planning of research projects to develop concepts for future product designs to meet projected requirements.

Requirements

• Lead execution of R&D programs, ensuring technical quality and rigor is met such that the end product meets systems requirements and customer expectations, all while remaining within program schedule and budget.
• Develop battery technologies for spacecraft, spacesuits, aircraft, or the military. Desired experience includes R&D in the areas of battery mechanical and electrical design, and battery management systems.
• Apply heat transfer, thermodynamics, and flow physics, particularly as they relate to the battery thermal design to accommodate both nominal thermal control and thermal runaway mitigation.
• Evaluate team member work and provide expert advice that will enhance the resulting concepts and designs.
• Participate in development of product line strategies and roadmaps - technical and business (e.g. new technology areas, partnerships, make/buy trades).
• Regularly present technical findings to customers and their technical advisors.
• Collaborate with transition partners (internal & external) to develop and execute transition plans for successful adoption and integration of developed products.
• Stay well versed in the leading edge battery technologies, including novel chemistries, designs, suppliers, and thermal runaway mitigations

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor Degree from an accredited course of study, in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent field with 5+ years of relevant experience OR
• Master's Degree from an accredited course of study, in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent field 3+ years of relevant experience OR
• Doctorate degree from an accredited course of study, in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent field.
• 3+ years of experience as an R&D Engineer or Researcher, including leading proposals for US government customers or prime contractors.
• The candidate must have good verbal and written communications skills, and interpersonal skills to work with customers, teammates and suppliers.
• Experience with thermal control system analysis and design. Specific experience with Thermal Desktop and FloCAD is a plus.
• Candidate must be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card).

Desired Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Knowledge and experience with the engineering product lifecycle, ranging from requirements development through design, manufacture, test, and operations.
• Design and procurement experience with thermal control hardware including cold plates, heat exchangers, radiators, pumped fluid loops, heat pipes, phase change materials (PCM), and multi-layer insulation (MLI).
• Testing experience, including generation of test plans, knowledge of thermal test hardware, an understanding of data systems, instrumentation, and test data analysis, and aerospace/flight testing campaigns.
• CAD design experience is a plus, especially using SolidWorks.
• Experience working on NASA/aerospace, or other governmental development projects is a plus.