Senior Thermal Engineer, Space Systems & Payloads

Blue Origin; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design and analysis for satellite payloads and in-space systems. You will develop detailed models, define interfaces, and drive qualification approaches while coordinating with payload, mechanical, power, and systems teams.

You will guide cross-disciplinary design integration for high-power hardware, manage thermal margins, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• 7+ years in thermal engineering for aerospace or high-power electronics.
• Experience with spaceborne thermal design, vacuum, radiation transfer, and flight hardware qualification.
• Familiarity with NASA/ESA/MIL-STD standards and qualification testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal design and analysis for satellite payloads and high-power electronics.
• Develop detailed thermal models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent.
• Define thermal interfaces across subsystems: radiators, heat pipes, loops, cold plates.
• Perform transient and steady-state analyses for mission profiles and eclipse transitions.
• Create thermal architecture for common bus/payload configurations across programs.
• Define qualification margins and acceptance approaches per standards.
• Drive manufacturability of thermal hardware and support rapid trades.
• Collaborate with payload, mechanical, power, and systems teams to integrate constraints.

Skills

Thermal design

Thermal analysis

Cross-functional

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or physics

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ANSYS Icepak

Job description

Blue Origin seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design and analysis for satellite payloads and in-space systems. You will develop detailed models, define interfaces, and drive qualification approaches while coordinating with payload, mechanical, power, and systems teams.

You will guide cross-disciplinary design integration for high-power hardware, manage thermal margins, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.