Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer – Lead Analyses

Firefly Aerospace; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to provide technical leadership across spacecraft thermal analysis for multiple vehicle programs. You will mentor engineers, shape modeling strategies, and drive analyses from concept to flight, including testing and anomaly investigations.

Proficiency in heat transfer, Thermal Desktop, and scripting in Python/MATLAB is required, with 8–15+ years in the field. NASA/DoD experience is a plus; the role is based in Austin, TX.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering/physical field.
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Responsibilities

• Lead thermal analyses that influence major vehicle design decisions across spacecraft programs.
• Own the architecture and maintenance of integrated spacecraft thermal models.
• Develop innovative analytical methods, workflows, and automation to improve capability.
• Lead thermal trade studies in environments, propulsion effects, lunar surface interactions, cryogenics, and advanced thermal control technologies.
• Define strategies from conceptual design through flight."

Skills

Thermal analysis

Python

MATLAB

Thermal modeling

Leadership

Communication

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Physics

M.S. or Ph.D. (desired)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Thermal analysis software

Instrumentation testing

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to provide technical leadership across spacecraft thermal analysis for multiple vehicle programs. You will mentor engineers, shape modeling strategies, and drive analyses from concept to flight, including testing and anomaly investigations.

Proficiency in heat transfer, Thermal Desktop, and scripting in Python/MATLAB is required, with 8–15+ years in the field. NASA/DoD experience is a plus; the role is based in Austin, TX.