Senior Thermal Engineer, Spacecraft Systems (Hybrid)

Socket.dev; Beaverton (OR); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

AscendArc is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with a focus on thermal science to join our Beaverton, Oregon team as a Thermal Engineer for a satellite communications system. You will connect vision to hardware, build it, test it and help fly it in a fast-paced startup environment.

You will lead global thermal models, define test requirements, translate mission environments into design specs, and support hardware qualification with data analysis and instrumentation planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, with a focus in thermal sciences or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in thermal analysis, preferably in spacecraft or aerospace applications
• Proficiency with industry-standard thermal modeling tools, Ansys Thermal Desktop preferred
• Strong understanding of thermal control systems, space environments, and heat transfer fundamentals
• Hands-on experience supporting thermal testing, including instrumentation planning and data analysis

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of global spacecraft thermal models and subsystem trade studies.
• Define and implement thermal control system specifications and test requirements.
• Translate mission environments into thermal design requirements, balancing heritage systems with first-principles analysis.
• Influence hardware qualification plans and support test campaigns with analysis, instrumentation planning, and data interpretation.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Heat transfer fundamentals

Space environments

Instrumentation planning

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Ansys Thermal Desktop

Job description

AscendArc is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with a focus on thermal science to join our Beaverton, Oregon team as a Thermal Engineer for a satellite communications system. You will connect vision to hardware, build it, test it and help fly it in a fast-paced startup environment.

You will lead global thermal models, define test requirements, translate mission environments into design specs, and support hardware qualification with data analysis and instrumentation planning.