Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Astro Digital; Littleton (CO); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital seeks a Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to perform thermal analysis for diverse spacecraft buses. You will build system and unit thermal models with Thermal Desktop, gather multi-disciplinary requirements, and present results with viable solutions such as coatings, interlayer materials, heaters, straps and sensors.

The role requires 2+ years in aerospace thermal engineering, hands-on experience with Thermal Desktop, and strong Excel/Python data post-processing skills.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field.
• 2+ years of experience as a thermal engineer/analyst in aerospace using Thermal Desktop.
• Deep understanding of thermal environments and effects.
• Proficiency building Thermal Desktop models for spacecraft and subsystems.
• Proficiency with thermal hand calcs/back-of-the-envelope assessments.
• Experience with thermal data post-processing (Excel or Python).
• Experience planning and executing TVAC thermal vacuum and thermal cycling testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel ~2x/year to San Jose, CA and Littleton, CO facilities.

Responsibilities

• Build spacecraft system-level and unit-level thermal models using Thermal Desktop.
• Gather requirements and inputs from other disciplines for thermal analysis.
• Present results, determine if requirements are met, and propose solutions (coatings, insulators, heaters, straps, sensors).
• Collaborate with test engineers to design and execute TVAC tests.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Thermal Desktop modeling

Excel data processing

Python data processing

Technical communication

Travel readiness

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

MS in thermal engineering (preferred)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

Solidworks PDM

Onshape

TD Direct meshing

Job description

Astro Digital designs, builds, andoperates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-basedturnkey missions for several business applications, including earthobservation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science,and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Santa Clara, California withroughly 100 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

Position Summary

The SeniorSpacecraft Thermal Engineer is responsible for thermal analysis and thermalrelated support of all classes of Astro Digital bus.

Theideal candidate is a meticulous, self-motivated thermal engineer with deepexperience in thermal analysis of spacecraft both at the system and unit level.He or she would be comfortable performing the following:

• Building both spacecraft system level and unit level modelsas required using Thermal Desktop
• Working with other disciplines to gather requirements andinputs necessary to complete spacecraft thermal analysis
• Presenting results in an efficient manner, identifying ifrequirements are met and viable solutions if not – thermal coatings, interfacematerials, heaters, straps, sensors, etc.
• Working with test engineers to designand execute TVAC tests

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering,Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field
• 2+ years of experience as a thermalengineer or thermal analyst in the aerospace field using Thermal Desktop
• Possesses a deep understanding andintuition of thermal environments and effects
• Proficiency building Thermal Desktopmodels for analysis of spacecraft and subsystems
• Proficiency with performing thermal handcalcs/back of the envelop assessments
• Experience with thermal datapost-processing (e.g., temperature data and heater power data) in Excel orPython
• Experience planning and executing thermalvacuum and thermal cycling testing
• Self-motivated work ethic with adesire to learn new aspects of thermal analysis and engineering
• Good written, verbal, and virtualcommunication skills
• Willingness to travel ~2 times/yearto our San Jose, CA and Littleton, CO offices and test facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in engineering directlyrelated to thermal analysis or thermal engineering
• Proficiency with SINDA/FLUINT and ThermalDesktop User Logic
• Experience with correlating thermalmodels to test data
• Familiarity interacting with version-controlledCAD systems such as Solidworks PDM and Onshape
• Proficiency analyzing electroniccomponents at the board level using Thermal Desktop
• Experience meshing complex geometry usingTD Direct or other meshing software for use in Thermal Desktop
• Experience with modeling andimplementing advanced thermal control technologies (heat pipes, PCM, TECs,etc.)
• Familiarity with standards such as NASA-STD-7000 (GEVS)
• Familiarity with SpaceX Falcon 9rideshare requirements

Thisposition requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data,technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanentresident status, or protected person status under22 CFR §120.15and8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.

Benefitsinclude health, dental, and vision insurance options, 401k matching, 10floating holidays, 5 sick days, and 3 weeks (15 days) of PTO per year.

JobType: Full Time
SalaryRange: $110k-170k annually depending on experience level
Location: Hybrid (minimum 2x in office weekly) inLittleton, CO with travel 2-3x / year to our San Jose, CA office and testfacilities