Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Astro Digital; Littleton (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

401k matching

Floating holidays

PTO

Sick days

Job summary

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates satellite systems with global infrastructure. The Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer will lead thermal analysis for all Astro Digital bus classes, building system and unit level models in Thermal Desktop and coordinating with test teams for TVAC testing.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace thermal analysis, strong modeling and data post-processing skills, and willingness to travel to our San Jose facility.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related field.
• 5+ years as a thermal engineer or thermal analyst in aerospace using Thermal Desktop.
• Deep understanding of thermal environments and effects.
• Proficiency building Thermal Desktop models for spacecraft and subsystems.
• Proficiency in thermal hand calculations.
• Experience with thermal data post-processing (Excel or Python).
• Experience planning and executing TVAC testing.
• Self-motivated with desire to learn new aspects of thermal analysis.
• Strong written, verbal, and virtual communication skills.
• Willingness to travel ~5 times/year to San Jose, CA.

Responsibilities

• Build spacecraft system and unit level thermal models using Thermal Desktop.
• Gather requirements with other disciplines for thermal analysis.
• Present results and suggest viable solutions (coatings, heaters, straps, sensors).
• Collaborate with test engineers to design and execute TVAC tests.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Thermal Desktop

Data post-processing (Excel/Python)

Thermal hand calculations

TVAC testing planning

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in thermal engineering

Tools

SINDA/FLUINT

Thermal Desktop

TD Direct

Solidworks PDM / Onshape

Job description

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with roughly 100 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

Position Summary

The Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer is responsible for thermal analysis and thermal related support of all classes of Astro Digital bus.

The ideal candidate is a meticulous, self-motivated thermal engineer with deep experience in thermal analysis of spacecraft both at the system and unit level. He or she would be comfortable performing the following:

• Building both spacecraft system level and unit level models as required using Thermal Desktop
• Working with other disciplines to gather requirements and inputs necessary to complete spacecraft thermal analysis
• Presenting results in an efficient manner, identifying if requirements are met and viable solutions if not – thermal coatings, interface materials, heaters, straps, sensors, etc.
• Working with test engineers to design and execute TVAC tests

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field
• 5+ years of experience as a thermal engineer or thermal analyst in the aerospace field using Thermal Desktop
• Possesses a deep understanding and intuition of thermal environments and effects
• Proficiency building Thermal Desktop models for analysis of spacecraft and subsystems
• Proficiency with performing thermal hand calcs/back of the envelop assessments
• Experience with thermal data post-processing (e.g., temperature data and heater power data) in Excel or Python
• Experience planning and executing thermal vacuum and thermal cycling testing
• Self-motivated work ethic with a desire to learn new aspects of thermal analysis and engineering
• Good written, verbal, and virtual communication skills
• Willingness to travel ~5 times/year to our San Jose, CA office and test facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in engineering directly related to thermal analysis or thermal engineering
• Proficiency with SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop User Logic
• Experience with correlating thermal models to test data
• Familiarity interacting with version-controlled CAD systems such as Solidworks PDM and Onshape
• Proficiency analyzing electronic components at the board level using Thermal Desktop
• Experience meshing complex geometry using TD Direct or other meshing software for use in Thermal Desktop
• Experience with modeling and implementing advanced thermal control technologies (heat pipes, PCM, TECs, etc.)
• Familiarity with standards such as NASA-STD-7000 (GEVS)
• Familiarity with SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance options, 401k matching, 10 floating holidays, 5 sick days, and 3 weeks (15 days) of PTO per year.

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $130k-180k annually depending on experience level

Location: Hybrid (minimum 2x in office weekly) in Littleton, CO with travel 2-3x / year to our San Jose, CA office and test facilities