Research & Development Engineer in Tucson

Energy Jobline ZR; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Paragon Space Development Corporation is seeking a Battery R&D Engineer to develop battery technologies for aerospace and terrestrial use, focusing on nominal thermal control and thermal runaway mitigation.

The role leads system requirements, architecture concepts, and detailed specifications while guiding proposals and design concepts in a hands-on environment. Based in Tucson, Houston, or Denver with cross-site collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of R&D experience or equivalent.
• Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Doctorate degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years leading proposals for US government customers or primes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with thermal control system analysis; Thermal Desktop or FloCAD a plus.
• US citizen or permanent resident.
• Based in Tucson, AZ, or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of R&D programs within schedule and budget.
• Develop battery technologies for spacecraft, spacesuits, aircraft, or the military.
• Apply heat transfer, thermodynamics, and flow physics to battery design.
• Evaluate team member work and provide expert guidance to improve concepts and designs.
• Participate in development of product line strategies and roadmaps.
• Regularly present technical findings to customers and advisors.
• Collaborate with transition partners to enable adoption and integration of developed products.
• Stay current with leading edge battery technologies and mitigations.

Skills

R&D engineering

Proposals for government customers

Thermal analysis

Thermal Desktop

FloCAD

Communication skills

US citizen or GC

Education

Bachelor degree

Master degree

Doctorate degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDescription:

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 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 or permanent (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 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.