Space Systems Senior Engineer

Socket.dev; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Life and disability insurance

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Job summary

ACT is seeking a Space Systems Senior Engineer to lead spacecraft hardware development across concept to flight. You’ll own challenging programs, perform detailed thermal analyses, develop CAD models, review drawings, and interface with customers to solve mission-specific challenges.

The role requires a strong mechanical engineering background, 8+ years in technical environments, and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced space systems setting.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering; strong thermal design background.
• Experience designing heat transfer equipment for aerospace programs preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead initial product design including innovative concept generation and analyses.
• Create and review manufacturing drawings and compliance matrices.
• Develop CAD models and support prototype fabrication and testing.
• Coordinate with engineers, technicians, and customers across lifecycle stages.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable, testable, and reliable across mission requirements.

Skills

Heat transfer design

Thermal analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Excellent communication

Education

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA tools

Job description

Description

Engineer Hardware for the Next Generation of Space Missions

What if your next engineering challenge was something that had never been built before?

At Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT), our Space Systems engineers work on real spacecraft programs—from early-stage concepts and new commercial platforms to scientific missions and some of the most ambitious programs in the space industry.

We work with NASA, established aerospace organizations, and innovative commercial space companies developing the next generation of satellites, spacecraft, instruments, and space infrastructure.

We're looking for an experienced Space Systems Senior Engineer who wants more than a narrowly defined engineering role. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of challenging programs, solve multidisciplinary problems, work directly with customers, and help turn early concepts into tested, manufacturable flight hardware.

About ACT

Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) is a leading provider of thermal management solutions for aerospace, defense, data centers, energy, and industrial applications. For more than 20 years, ACT has engineered and manufactured innovative technologies that solve complex thermal challenges in demanding environments. Our team is driven by continuous innovation, teamwork, and collaboration, delivering reliable solutions that support critical missions and next-generation technologies worldwide.

ACT's capabilities extend from advanced engineering and analysis through prototyping, testing, qualification, and manufacturing. For our Space Systems engineers, that creates an opportunity to stay connected to a program throughout its development rather than working on one isolated piece of a much larger project.

As the commercial space industry continues to grow and new missions become increasingly ambitious, ACT is growing with it.

Position Summary

The Space Systems Senior Engineer supports the development of spacecraft hardware and systems across multiple phases of the engineering lifecycle, ranging from concept generation and initial design through detailed analysis, prototype hardware fabrication, testing, and volume production.

Projects can range from modifications of proven designs to true "blank sheet of paper" development programs requiring new ideas, new approaches, and advanced performance testing.

At any given time, the Senior Engineer may be responsible for the success of multiple projects, providing the opportunity to work across many aspects of the product development cycle. You'll work as part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians to develop complex systems and solve challenging technical problems.

Candidates with a strong technical background and experience designing complex, manufacturable components and systems will excel in this position.

What You'll Work On

This is not an engineering role where you'll spend years focused on one small subsystem.

As a Space Systems Senior Engineer, you'll have opportunities to work across a diverse range of spacecraft programs and technical challenges.

Depending on the project, you may be developing a new spacecraft thermal or mechanical concept, evaluating design trades, performing detailed analysis, developing CAD models, reviewing manufacturing drawings, working alongside technicians building prototype hardware, evaluating test results, or meeting directly with a customer to solve a mission-specific challenge.

Your work may support:

• Satellites and spacecraft
• Scientific instruments and payloads
• Commercial space platforms
• Spacecraft thermal control systems
• Structural and mechanical systems
• Radiators and heat rejection systems
• Prototype and flight hardware
• Emerging spacecraft architectures and technologies
• Programs ranging from one-of-a-kind missions to higher-volume spacecraft production

Some projects build on decades of proven engineering. Others start with a set of requirements, an empty whiteboard, and a problem no one has solved yet.

Work Across the Full Engineering Lifecycle

Concept ? Analysis ? Design ? Build ? Test ? Qualify ? Production ? Flight

At ACT, engineering doesn't stop when the model is complete. Our engineers work closely with manufacturing and technicians throughout development, creating an environment where you can see your ideas become hardware, learn from testing, refine the design, and help successfully transition products into production.

That combination of analysis, hands-on development, and manufacturing is a major part of what makes engineering at ACT different.

Responsibilities Include:

• All aspects of initial product design including:
  • Innovative concept generation
  • Excel or hand calculation analytical analysis
  • Detailed Thermal Analyses (steady state, transients)
    • Ability to perform basic structural assessments a plus
• Manufacturing Drawing generation and review
• Compliance Matrix generation and review
• 3-D CAD modeling (Solidworks)
• Fabrication procedures & travelers
• Working with a diverse group of engineers and technicians
• Managing program schedules and budget
• Frequent and professional customer communication

Our work environment demands a candidate with the ability to take on multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for team players who enjoy working with customers, vendors, and co-workers to provide the best service and solutions. The best candidates will be those who embrace new challenges, using critical thinking skills.

Requirements

• US Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15? (U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) due to ITAR restrictions preferred.
• B.S. or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Basic understanding of process systems
• Proficiency in using commercial CAD (Solidworks) and FEA (Solidworks) tools, along with heat transfer system design tools
• 8+ years experience in a technical-oriented company
• 3-5 years hands-on experience designing heat transfer equipment, with a strong preference for experience in supporting programs from concept generation to a test-validated prototype
• Excellent verbal and written skills

The Kind of Engineer Who Thrives Here

You're probably a good fit if you enjoy being handed a difficult engineering problem more than being handed a detailed set of instructions.

You're comfortable moving between calculations, analysis, CAD, hardware, testing, manufacturing, and customer conversations. You understand that the best engineering solution isn't simply the one that works in a model—it also has to be manufacturable, testable, reliable, and capable of meeting demanding mission requirements.

Most importantly, you want ownership.

You want to understand the entire problem, contribute to the solution, and stay involved long enough to see whether it actually works.

Why Join ACT?

Work on hardware that goes to space.

Your engineering decisions can directly influence spacecraft hardware supporting real-world missions.

Work with organizations shaping what's next.

Collaborate on programs for NASA, established aerospace organizations, and emerging commercial space companies developing new spacecraft and mission architectures.

Take ownership of challenging programs.

Senior engineers at ACT aren't limited to executing individual tasks. You'll have opportunities to influence technical direction and drive programs forward.

Work beyond the computer screen.

Collaborate with the people who build and test your designs and see firsthand how engineering decisions translate into physical hardware.

Solve different problems.

Space programs don't always come with an existing playbook. Many require customized solutions, creative thinking, and engineering judgment.

See the full development cycle.

Follow programs from early concepts and calculations through design, prototyping, testing, qualification, manufacturing, and flight.

Join us at a time of growth.

ACT's Space Systems capabilities are expanding alongside a rapidly evolving space industry, creating opportunities for experienced engineers to help shape the technologies, programs, and teams that come next.

Make Your Next Engineering Challenge One That Flies.

You've spent years developing your engineering expertise. Now put that experience toward problems that demand it.

At ACT, you'll have the opportunity to solve difficult technical challenges, develop new technologies, work alongside talented engineers and technicians, and see your ideas progress from an initial concept to real spacecraft hardware.

ACT offers competitive pay, excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision, paid time off, holidays, company-paid life & disability insurance, 401(k) match, and profit-sharing), and a supportive team environment.

ACT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

ACT participates in E-Verify.

California Applicants: ACT collects personal information for hiring purposes. California residents may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA. Contact HR at [e-mail].