Thermal Analysis Engineer

Socket.dev; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Craig Technologies in Houston, TX seeks an innovative Thermal Analysis Engineer to join our team. The role involves detailed thermal modeling, analysis, and environmental verification of spacecraft and aerospace systems destined for cislunar and lunar orbit missions.

You will ensure components and vehicles withstand extreme thermal conditions, collaborate across disciplines, and help advance space qualification workflows with rigorous testing and analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 3–5 years of aerospace thermal experience.
• 3–5 years direct experience in spacecraft thermal modeling, simulation, and heat transfer principles (conduction, radiation, albedo).
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop (SINDA/FLUINT) or equivalent aerospace thermal analysis tools.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards for thermal design and space environment mitigations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed thermal analyses of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop or equivalent software.
• Analyze transient and steady-state thermal behavior under deep-space environmental loads.
• Develop, refine, and correlate high-fidelity thermal models for thermal control systems.
• Design, evaluate, and optimize passive and active thermal control components.
• Plan and execute environmental TVAC testing campaigns.
• Analyze test telemetry and update analytical models for flight prediction accuracy.
• Collaborate with design, structural, systems, and test teams across the spacecraft lifecycle.
• Generate clear thermal documentation and environmental test plans for stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Mathematical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering degree

Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred

Tools

Thermal Desktop (SINDA/FLUINT)

Job description

Title:Thermal Analysis Engineer

Location:Houston, TX.

Citizenship Requirement: US citizenship required.

Req#: 4095

Thermal Analysis Engineer

The vision at Craig Technologies is to make space accessible to everyone by increasing the viability of low-cost access to space. At Craig Technologies, our whole is greater than the sum of our parts. The Craig Technologies team is made up of highly talented individuals, each contributing their own experience, knowledge, skills, and ideas. It is our team that sets us apart from our competition and makes our mission of Bringing Space Down to Earth™ possible. At Craig Technologies we treat each day like it’s Day One. We operate with a sense of urgency; we are customer obsessed, always learning and constantly evolving. Join our team and be a part of something great!

Job Summary

Craig Technologies is seeking an innovative and cutting-edge Thermal Analysis Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL. The candidate will support the detailed thermal modeling, analysis, and environmental verification of spacecraft and aerospace systems destined for cislunar and lunar orbit missions. This role is responsible for ensuring components, payloads, and fully integrated vehicles can survive the extreme thermal extremes of deep space, alternating between intense direct solar radiation and prolonged, battery-draining eclipse periods.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed thermal analyses of spacecraft systems, subsystems, and payloads across all active mission phases using Thermal Desktop or equivalent software.
• Analyze and predict the transient and steady-state thermal behavior of active components under varied deep-space, cislunar, and lunar orbit environmental loads.
• Develop, refine, and correlate high-fidelity thermal models to optimize thermal control system architectures.
• Design, evaluate, and optimize passive and active thermal control systems, including radiators, heat pipes, heaters, thermal interface materials, and multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets.
• Plan and execute rigorous environmental testing campaigns, specifically Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) profiles, to ensure compliance with mission-specific requirements.
• Analyze empirical test telemetry and correlate test data back into analytical thermal models to lock in flight prediction accuracy.
• Collaborate closely with design, structural, systems, and test engineering teams to integrate cross-disciplinary thermal management strategies throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.
• Generate clear thermal documentation, including design analysis reports (ITAR-compliant where necessary), operational hardware specifications, and environmental test plans for internal stakeholders and commercial clients.
• Stay current with emerging aerospace thermal control technologies, space-qualification workflows, and analytical best practices to contribute to internal process improvements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with a highly meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex thermal gradient data and margin risks clearly.
• Flexible and adaptable mindset to pivot seamlessly across shifting project priorities, commercial client deadlines, and mission targets.
• Collaborative, team-focused approach to contributing on multidisciplinary aerospace engineering projects.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly related technical field plus a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in aerospace thermal control systems.
• Minimally 3-5 years of direct experience in spacecraft thermal modeling, simulation, and the application of complex heat transfer principles (conduction, radiation, and orbital environmental heat fluxes).
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop (SINDA/FLUINT) or equivalent aerospace thermal analysis simulation tools.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards for thermal design, space environment mitigations, and planetary/lunar albedo heating vectors.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Experience with clean-room integrations, flight thermocouple placement, and hands‑on monitoring of physical TVAC test chambers is a plus.
• All candidates selected will be subject to a background investigation and drug screen.
• To conform to U.S. Government 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.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods standing or walking on hard surfaces.
• Ability to travel <10% to support TVAC or integration testing facilities.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Note: This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the supervisor's ability to modify work assignments as appropriate. ***All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information. ***

Craig Technologies is an EEO Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other non-job-related protected status. All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.