Sr. Thermal Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Thermal Engineer for Starlink to lead thermal design, analysis, and testing of satellite hardware, including phased arrays and consumer wireless products. You will size systems, run simulations, and validate designs in extreme environments.

The role requires a strong background in thermal modeling, MATLAB/Python, and industry-standard tools, with collaboration across mechanical, electrical, software, and RF teams to ensure performance under demanding conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; 5+ years in thermal analysis or modeling (internships or projects count).
• Master’s degree preferred for advanced roles; strong fundamentals in thermal-fluid sciences beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Thermal system design of next‑generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products; own components, interfaces, and performance.
• Thermal design of semiconductor packages; run full thermal simulations and lab tests.
• Develop tests to validate hardware performance in extreme conditions.
• Automate workflows to reduce design-cycle effort.
• Perform first-principles sizing analyses and assess design decisions.
• Provide analysis-based recommendations for performance and robustness.
• Document design requirements and specifications clearly.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, and RF teams.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Communication skills

Schedule management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in relevant engineering (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Thermal Desktop

ANSYS Workbench

3D modeling

Flotherm

Icepak

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

SR. THERMAL ENGINEER (STARLINK)

At SpaceX, we are applying our expertise in building rockets and spacecraft to create the world’s largest and most advanced satellite broadband system. Starlink delivers fast, reliable internet to millions of users through a vertically integrated network of satellites, receiver antennas, lasers, gateways, and sophisticated software. We design, build, test, and operate every part of the system to serve users everywhere on Earth.

As a thermal engineer, you are responsible for the thermal design, test, and validation of all Starlink hardware. This includes but is not limited to phased array antennas, custom silicon design for chips, consumer WiFi, and other RF systems to be developed in the future. You will use your skills in thermal analysis to make engineering decisions that improve the performance of Starlink hardware everywhere from remote research labs in Antarctica to Mach 0.7 in-flight.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Thermal system design of next-generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products – own every component, part, and interface in the design
• Thermal design of semiconductor packages, from high level concepts to detail thermal simulations and lab testing
• Devise, build, and run tests to validate the expected performance of the hardware in extreme conditions
• Automate workflow and pursue operational simplicity to reduce engineering investment in the design cycle
• Utilize first-principles approach to evaluate sizing cases and impact of design decisions
• Perform analysis to make recommendations for performance/robustness improvements
• Produce quality documentation of your work for design requirements and specifications
• Continuous collaboration with mechanical, electrical, software, and RF design teams

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in thermal analysis and modeling (internship or project experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Experience using scientific programming languages such as MATLAB or Python
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench
• Experience with 3D modeling and 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks
• Experience with tools like Flotherm or Icepak
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of 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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Aff… Should reach out to [e-mail].