Thermal Engineer

Rendezvous Robotics; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental

Disability & life insurance

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Job summary

Rendezvous Robotics, based in Golden, Colorado, seeks a Mid to Senior Thermal Engineer to own the thermal architecture end to end for self‑assembling tiles and spacecraft. You will design, size, and qualify thermal‑control hardware, build detailed models, and deliver data‑driven recommendations.

You’ll collaborate across engineering disciplines and mentor junior team members. The role is full‑time and on‑site in Golden, CO, with responsibilities spanning from concept to flight and on‑orbit

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering.
• 5+ years of spacecraft thermal design and analysis.
• Experience owning thermal‑control hardware design (radiators, MLI, heaters, coatings).
• Proficiency with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Own the thermal architecture and thermal‑control subsystem end to end—from requirements to on‑orbit operation.
• Design, select, and size thermal‑control hardware (radiators, MLI, heaters, coatings).
• Build, refine, and correlate detailed thermal models for steady‑state and transient analyses.
• Evaluate orbital thermal environments and radiator sizing.
• Define thermal requirements, margins, and drive system‑level studies.
• Support coupled thermo‑structural assessments.
• Plan and execute thermal‑vacuum and thermal‑balance tests with instrumentation.
• Document outputs and mentor junior engineers in thermal best practices.

Skills

Thermal design

Thermal analysis

Thermal hardware

Python scripting

Aerospace knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ESATAN

Python

Job description

Today, everything we send to space is constrained by what fits inside a rocket fairing. That’s a fundamental bottleneck to building more capable spacecraft. Rendezvous Robotics is solving this problem with electromagnetic self‑assembling tiles that enable spacecraft that are bigger and more powerful than anything that can be folded to fit into a rocket. We’re a small team based in Golden, Colorado, executing on a clear path from flight demonstration to our first operational systems. Our work spans hardware, software, and systems engineering, and we’re always looking for people who want to build things that matter.

The Role

We are looking for a Mid to Senior Level Thermal Engineer to fully own the design and analysis of thermal management systems for our self‑assembling tiles and spacecraft. You will own the thermal architecture end to end—defining requirements, designing and sizing thermal‑control hardware, building and correlating detailed thermal models, and carrying that hardware from concept through qualification, flight, and on‑orbit operation. You’ll be the program’s thermal authority and a strong individual contributor: hands‑on with both the analysis and the hardware, giving the design team data‑driven recommendations and making the calls that keep the vehicle within temperature. You’ll partner closely with electrical, systems, mechanical, and test, and mentor the engineers growing into the discipline. This is a full‑time, on‑site role in Golden, Colorado.

What You’ll Do

• Own the thermal architecture and thermal‑control subsystem end to end—from requirements and concept through design, qualification, flight, and on‑orbit operation.
• Design, select, and size thermal‑control hardware—radiators, MLI, coatings, heaters, thermostats, heat pipes, conductive interfaces, and thermal interface materials.
• Build, refine, and correlate detailed thermal models; perform steady‑state and transient analyses across mission phases and environments.
• Evaluate orbital thermal environments (solar, albedo, planetary IR), eclipse transitions, and radiator and heater sizing.
• Define thermal requirements, allocate margins, and drive system‑level trade studies and architecture decisions.
• Support coupled thermo‑structural assessments.
• Plan, execute, and correlate thermal‑vacuum and thermal‑balance tests, including test‑article configuration and instrumentation strategy.
• Document analysis and design outputs, present findings to stakeholders, and mentor junior engineers in thermal best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of spacecraft or aerospace thermal design and analysis experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of thermal‑control hardware design: sizing and selecting radiators, MLI, heaters, coatings, and conductive interfaces, not analysis alone.
• Proficiency with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or a comparable node‑based or Python thermal solver.
• Hands‑on knowledge of thermal‑control hardware: MLI, OSR/radiator films, Kapton heaters, thermostats, surface coatings (α/ε), heat pipes, and conductive interfaces.
• Solid understanding of space thermal environments and their effects on materials and hardware.
• Experience defining thermal requirements and allocating thermal margins.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thermal‑vacuum and thermal‑balance test planning, execution, and model correlation.
• Proficiency with Python for analysis automation and comfort owning analysis code.
• Understanding of battery and electronics thermal limits (e.g., Li‑ion charge/discharge windows).
• Experience defining heater‑control, thermostat, or survival‑heater approaches with electrical and avionics teams.
• Experience with modular spacecraft, in‑space assembly, robotics, or autonomous space systems.
• Proficiency with CAD tools for integrating thermal hardware into mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with NASA thermal standards.
• Experience in a startup or fast‑iteration hardware environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives in the form of stock options. You will receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. You may also receive 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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.

Rendezvous Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.