Spacecraft Thermal Manager

Firefly Aerospace; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans with lowく

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Thermal Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers focused on spacecraft thermal systems across programs. You will define standards, maintain models, and coordinate testing and launch readiness, while mentoring engineers and guiding hiring decisions.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in thermal analysis, leadership experience, and strong skills in Thermal Desktop, Python, and MATLAB, with a willingness to relocate to the Austin area.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of spacecraft thermal analysis experience.
• Mentoring or managing teams of engineers.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and industry-standard thermal analysis software.
• Strong programming skills using Python, MATLAB, or similar languages.
• Excellent technical leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Thermal Engineers that drive major vehicle design decisions across multiple spacecraft programs.
• Define the process, standards, and tools the team must use when designing, developing, and maintaining integrated spacecraft thermal models.
• Organize and lead testing, including vehicle-level thermal vacuum testing.
• Serve as the point of contact for the thermal control subsystem during launch operations.
• Mentor and technically review work performed by thermal engineers across multiple experience levels.
• Own the hiring process for the Spacecraft Thermal Team.

Skills

Spacecraft thermal analysis

Thermal Desktop

Python

MATLAB

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Physics or related field

MS or PhD (desired)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.SUMMARYThe Firefly Thermal Manager provides leadership for spacecraft thermal systems across multiple vehicle programs. They lead a team of engineers and the output that team delivers. Managers also own hiring, performance, development, and retention, and are responsible for developing and supporting a strong culture within their team.This role requires deep expertise in spacecraft thermal engineering, strong technical judgment, and the ability to independently manage multidisciplinary efforts involving analysis, testing, and vehicle design.RESPONSIBILITIESManage a team of Thermal Engineers that drive major vehicle design decisions across multiple spacecraft programs.Define the process, standards, and tools the team must use when designing, developing, and maintaining integrated spacecraft thermal modelsCreate and maintain a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment where individuals feel supported and aligned.Actively assess and address the staffing needs of the Thermal team to ensure all operations are appropriately staffed.Represent the team effectively in cross-functional and leadership discussions - ensuring Thermal priorities, constraints, and contributions are clearly communicated, and ensuring the team’s wins are regularly shared externally.Understand and be prepared to defend the team’s analyses, ensuring the technical rigor and credibility of Thermal deliverables.Establish and communicate clear roles, responsibilities, and ownership areas for each team member. Define the expectations for each member of the Thermal team.Ensure Thermal tasks and deliverables are completed on schedule and help remove roadblocks where needed.Proactively address performance concerns within the team with fairness, transparency, and accountability.Define and uphold standards for Thermal methods, documentation, review processes, and technical quality expected of a Thermal Engineer.Hold the team accountable for producing clear, complete, and traceable documentation for all Thermal work.Support the technical growth of team members through mentorship, feedback, and by encouraging knowledge sharing.Own the hiring process for the Spacecraft Thermal Team.Define thermal analysis strategies supporting conceptual design through flight.Organize and lead testing, including vehicle-level thermal vacuum testing.Serve as the point of contact for the thermal control subsystem during launch operations.Mentor and technically review work performed by thermal engineers across multiple experience levels.QUALIFICATIONSRequiredB.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldApproximately 8+ years of spacecraft thermal analysis experienceMust be willing to relocate to the greater Austin areaExpert knowledge of spacecraft heat transfer and thermal control systemsExperience mentoring or managing teams of engineersExtensive experience with Thermal Desktop and industry-standard thermal analysis softwareDemonstrated success leading thermal analyses through design, testing, and flightExperience with instrumentation and testing thermal hardwareExperience correlating analytical models using environmental and flight dataStrong programming skills using Python, MATLAB, or similar languagesExcellent technical leadership and communication skillsProven ability to independently scope, execute, defend, and communicate complex analysesDesiredM.S. or Ph.D.3+ years of management experienceExperience supporting NASA, DoD, or commercial spacecraft programsExperience developing new thermal analysis methodologies or software automationFamiliarity with thermal standards (e.g., GSFC-STD-7001B, SMC-S-016, RCC-319, Spacecraft Payload requirements)Experience organizing and executing thermal vacuum testsExperience with advanced spacecraft thermal control technologies, lunar environments, plume heating, and mission-specific thermal phenomenaFirefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.Primary Level Salary Range:Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.