Thermal Design Engineer IV

Arcfield; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 109,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcfield in the United States is seeking a Thermal Systems Engineer for spacecraft and payload design. You will perform thermal design and analysis across component, sub-system, and system levels, ensuring thermal closure while meeting cost and schedule objectives.

The role requires expertise with Thermal Desktop, CAD modeling, and a background in space engineering; Top Secret clearance is required or obtainable, with collaboration across avionics, mechanical, and program management teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or computation field plus 8–10 years, MS plus 6–8 years, or PhD plus 3–5 years of professional experience in thermal engineering positions.
• 3+ years of professional working experience in the space industry.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, CAD modeling, and basic thermal principles.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal system design and analysis for spacecraft and payloads across component, sub‑system, and system levels.
• Design thermal integration of electronic components such as processors, power supplies, cameras, and optical assemblies at the sub‑system and spacecraft level.
• Ensure thermal designs close properly and identify innovative technical means to meet thermal, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Perform FEM‑based thermal model analysis using Thermal Desktop.
• Develop preliminary concepts supporting early design activities through design V&V and transition to rate production.
• Collaborate effectively with avionics, mechanical, structural, program management, and AI&T teams with strong internal customer focus.

Skills

Thermal engineering

FEM analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant engineering or computation field

MS in a related field

PhD in a related field

Tools

Thermal Desktop

CAD modeling

SolidWorks

Job description

Overview

This role is responsible for thermal system design and analysis of complex spacecraft and payloads, spanning from the lowest‑level component up through sub‑system and full system levels. The position includes designing thermal solutions for a wide range of electronic components and ensuring thermal closure while meeting cost and schedule objectives.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal system design and analysis for spacecraft and payloads across component, sub‑system, and system levels.
• Design thermal integration of electronic components such as processors, power supplies, cameras, and optical assemblies at the sub‑system and spacecraft level.
• Ensure thermal designs close properly and identify innovative technical means to meet thermal, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Perform FEM‑based thermal model analysis using Thermal Desktop.
• Develop preliminary concepts supporting early design activities through design V&V (verification and validation) and transition to rate production.
• Collaborate effectively with avionics, mechanical, structural, program management, and AI&T teams with strong internal customer focus.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or computation field plus 8–10 years, MS plus 6–8 years, or PhD plus 3–5 years of professional experience in thermal engineering positions.
• 3+ years of professional working experience in the space industry.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, CAD modeling, and basic thermal principles.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

Preferred

• Ability to perform mechanical engineering design tasks using SolidWorks, in addition to primary thermal engineering duties.

Equal Pay Act

• This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories.
• Min: $108,763.19 Max: $189,118.08
• Arcfield ’s benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.