Spacecraft Thermal Analyst

Socket.dev; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) is a leading provider of thermal management solutions for aerospace and space systems.

We seek a Spacecraft Thermal Analyst to support thermal and mechanical design for spacecraft from early studies through flight hardware, collaborating across engineering and manufacturing teams. You'll work within ACT's Space Systems group on complex thermal challenges, influencing thermal control system design and flight hardware, while interfacing with customers

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD, FEA, CFD; Thermal Desktop strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft thermal and mechanical design and analysis.
• Model and implement thermal control systems for various spacecraft configurations.
• Support prototype and flight hardware development.
• Review technical documentation and provide technical recommendations.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across engineering disciplines.
• Support projects involving CubeSats, GEO satellites, and scientific spacecraft missions.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Leadership

Heat transfer principles

Experience with CAD/FEA/CFD

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD

FEA

CFD

Thermal Desktop

Job description

Help Solve the Thermal Challenges Behind the Next Generation of Spacecraft

At Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT), spacecraft thermal analysis isn't an isolated modeling exercise. It's part of designing hardware that will ultimately have to perform in space.

Our Space Systems teams work with NASA, established aerospace organizations, and some of the most innovative companies shaping the rapidly growing commercial space industry. From CubeSats and satellite constellations to scientific spacecraft and complex missions beyond Earth orbit, we're solving thermal challenges where reliability, mass, power, performance, and mission success are closely connected.

We're looking for an experienced Spacecraft Thermal Analyst who wants to apply deep technical expertise to real spacecraft programs—and see their analysis influence designs that move from concept to prototype, qualification, production, and ultimately flight.

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 is also growing rapidly, creating new opportunities for engineers who want to help shape the future of spacecraft thermal management. Unlike organizations where analysis, design, and manufacturing are separated, ACT brings engineering and hardware development together. Our teams can take an idea from an early thermal trade study through detailed design, prototyping, testing, qualification, and production.

Position Summary

Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) is seeking an experienced Spacecraft Thermal Analyst to support thermal and mechanical design for spacecraft applications. This role works closely with engineering and manufacturing teams on projects ranging from early trade studies through detailed system-level analysis and flight hardware.

As part of ACT's Space Systems group, you'll have the opportunity to tackle complex spacecraft thermal challenges and directly influence how thermal control systems and flight hardware are designed. You'll collaborate with engineers across multiple disciplines, interact with customers developing next-generation spacecraft, and help turn analytical models into practical solutions capable of operating in the space environment.

What You'll Work On

No two spacecraft—and no two thermal problems—are exactly alike.

Depending on the program, you may be evaluating spacecraft-level thermal architectures, analyzing heat rejection strategies, supporting radiator and thermal control system design, investigating component temperatures throughout a mission profile, or helping engineering teams understand how a design will respond to challenging orbital and operational environments.

You'll have opportunities to contribute to programs involving:

• CubeSats and SmallSats
• LEO and GEO spacecraft
• Satellite constellations
• Scientific spacecraft and instruments
• Commercial space platforms
• Advanced spacecraft thermal control systems
• Radiators and heat rejection systems
• Passive and active thermal management technologies
• New spacecraft concepts that push conventional thermal architectures in new directions

Most importantly, your analysis won't end with a report. You'll work alongside the engineers and manufacturing teams responsible for turning those models into hardware.

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft thermal and mechanical design and analysis.
• Model and implement thermal control systems for a variety of spacecraft configurations.
• Support prototype and flight hardware development.
• Review technical documentation and provide technical recommendations.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across engineering disciplines.
• Support projects involving CubeSats, GEO satellites, and scientific spacecraft missions.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles.
• Experience with thermal design and troubleshooting.
• Experience with CAD, FEA, and CFD tools; Thermal Desktop strongly preferred.
• Spacecraft mission and subsystem knowledge preferred.
• Strong communication, teamwork, critical-thinking, and leadership skills.

Why Join our Space Systems Group?

Work on programs that actually fly.

Your models and recommendations can directly influence the thermal design of spacecraft and flight hardware supporting real missions.

Work across the full development lifecycle.

Go beyond analysis by collaborating with the teams responsible for design, prototyping, testing, qualification, and manufacturing.

Solve problems that aren't already solved.

Our customers come to ACT with difficult thermal challenges. That means our engineers have opportunities to develop new approaches rather than simply repeat the same designs.

Work with the organizations shaping the future of space.

ACT supports NASA and a growing commercial space industry that is fundamentally changing how spacecraft are designed, manufactured, launched, and operated.

See your analysis become hardware.

There's something different about watching hardware you've helped develop move from a thermal model to the manufacturing floor—and eventually toward a launch pad.

Join a growing Space Systems organization.

As ACT continues to expand its space capabilities, you'll have opportunities to influence technical direction, mentor developing engineers, and help build the engineering capabilities needed for increasingly ambitious spacecraft programs.

Bring Your Experience to Missions That Matter

You've spent your career developing expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis. At ACT, that experience can help solve the next generation of thermal challenges.

Whether the mission is orbiting Earth, supporting a scientific instrument, enabling a new commercial spacecraft platform, or traveling farther into space, you'll be part of a team working to make sure the hardware can perform.

Work Authorization

Due to ITAR requirements, U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) preferred.

Join ACT and help develop advanced thermal solutions for the next generation of spacecraft.

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].