Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Jobtailor; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Reston, VA seeks a senior thermal design engineer to drive the complete thermal design lifecycle for complex space payloads. You will build and validate models, perform on-orbit and TVAC analyses, and lead collaborative trade studies with systems, electrical, optical, and software teams.

The role requires 5+ years of spacecraft thermal experience, strong heat transfer knowledge, and proven ability to work across geographically distributed offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering is required.
• 5+ years of thermal design and analysis experience for complex spacecraft systems.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop modeling and analysis.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer and thermal control principles.
• Ability to work with geographically distributed teams and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Execute complete thermal design lifecycle for complex optomechanical space payloads.
• Generate thermal design requirements with payload subsystem leads.
• Build thermal models from component to payload levels.
• Conduct on-orbit and TVAC analyses and trade studies.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate thermal hardware and software into payload.
• Source and specify thermal hardware with vendors.
• Build and test prototype systems for design validation.
• Plan assembly, integration, and test of payload thermal subsystem.
• Guide technicians in integration of thermal hardware.

Skills

Team Collaboration

Communication Skills

Enthusiastic Attitude

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Thermal Modeling

Job description

Responsibilities

• Execute complete thermal design lifecycle for complex optomechanical space payloads
• Work with payload subsystem leads to generate thermal design requirements
• Build thermal models from component to payload levels
• Execute on-orbit and TVAC analyses
• Conduct trade studies to develop passive and active control systems that meet system requirements on performance, schedule, and cost
• Collaborate with systems, electrical, optical, and software engineers to integrate thermal hardware and software into payload
• Collaborate with vendors to spec and source thermal hardware
• Build and test prototype systems for design validation
• Create plans for assembly, integration, and test of payload thermal subsystem
• Guide and supervise technicians in integration of thermal hardware

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of thermal design and analysis experience specific to complex spacecraft systems
• Experience with Thermal Desktop modeling and analysis
• Thorough understanding of heat transfer and thermal control principles
• Enthusiastic attitude towards individual and team work and collaborating with geographically diverse offices
• Proven track record of payload design lifecycle completion, including proposal, design, manufacture, assembly, test, and integration
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts and technical information clearly and concisely

Hard Skills

• Thermal Design
• Thermal Analysis
• Thermal Control Systems
• Prototype Testing
• Trade Studies
• Thermal Modeling
• Integration of Thermal Hardware
• Assembly and Test Planning
• On-Orbit Analysis
• TVAC Analysis

Soft Skills

• Team Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Enthusiastic Attitude

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering