Senior Thermal Fluids Engineer

Karman+; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Equity Incentive Plan

Medical plans (Gold coverage)

Life insurance ($50,000)

Disability insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

FAMLI

Job summary

Karman+ in Colorado is seeking a Senior Thermal Fluids Engineer to lead design and testing of propellant delivery and thermal management systems for deep space propulsion. You’ll drive trades, sizing, and interfaces critical to mission success, collaborating across teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving with FEA/CFD, propulsion modeling, and CAD, plus strong communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is a high-impact aerospace position with broad autonomy.

Qualifications

• Aspiring aerospace engineer with a focus on fluid and thermal systems.
• Experience in electric in-space propulsion is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of thruster design and space-rated thermal management.
• Proficiency with thermal analysis tools and CAD.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design and testing of propellant delivery systems.
• Oversee thermal system design, ensuring proper design and control strategies to maintain subsystem performance in space.
• Execute build vs buy trades for system components, and manage vendor relationships.
• Size propellant tanks, and drive thermal design for a unique mission profile.
• Collaborate with other teams to support solar electric propulsion systems.
• Manage range safety compliance and propellant loading plans.
• Drive trades for advanced vehicle capabilities, like refueling architectures and multimode propellant systems.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Space propulsion

Thermal management

Heat transfer

Propellant systems

CAD

FEA

CFD

Propulsion modeling software

Communication

Tools

FEA

CFD

CAD

Propulsion modeling software

Job description

At Karman+, we’re building spacecraft systems that will take us beyond Earth orbit. As a Senior Thermal Fluids Engineer, your role would be to drive development of critical systems for a deep space vehicle like propellant tanks, valves, flow management systems, and refueling interfaces.

Salary Range: $130k - 170k annually

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the design and testing of propellant delivery systems.


• Oversee thermal system design, ensuring proper design and control strategies to maintain subsystem performance in space.


• Execute build vs buy trades for system components, and manage vendor relationships.


• Size propellant tanks, and drive thermal design for a unique mission profile.


• Collaborate with other teams to support solar electric propulsion systems.


• Manage range safety compliance and propellant loading plans.


• Drive trades for advanced vehicle capabilities, like refueling architectures and multimode propellant systems.

What You Bring

• A desire to push the envelope of how industry approaches fluid and thermal systems, and enable capabilities like ISRU, and a space based economy.


• Deep experience years in aerospace engineering, ideally working on electric in space propulsion.


• Expertise in thruster design, propellant systems, heat transfer, and space-rated thermal management.


• Hands-on problem-solving skills with proficiency in tools like FEA and CFD for thermal analysis, propulsion modeling software, and CAD.


• Proven track record of delivering high-stakes engineering projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.


• Clear communication skills to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Karman+ Benefits Overview

1. Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy

We focus on what you get done, not how many hours or days you work.

2. Equity Incentive Plan

We firmly believe in recognizing and rewarding the invaluable contributions made by our employees. To this end, we have established an Equity Incentive Plan that includes granting non-qualified stock options to employees. These Non-Qualifying Stock Options will be awarded in a separate agreement.

3. Medical plans

We offer you a choice of three different plans that provide comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage. We cover 100% of your premium for the Gold plan.

We cover 100% of your premiums.

5. Life insurance

We cover the premium for a $50,000 policy.

6. Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance

We cover the whole premium.

7. 401(k) Retirement Plan

We offer you an opportunity to plan for retirement by contributing to your 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on a pre-tax or after-tax basis (Roth) through Guideline.

8. FAMLI

You are eligible for Colorado's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, which provides paid leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. This includes up to 12 weeks of leave (or 16 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth complications), with contributions shared by the Company and you as required by law. For more details on eligibility, contributions, and applications, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's FAMLI website or contact human resources.