Thermal Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Relocation lump-sum bonus

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment, Los Angeles area, California, is seeking a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design and analysis across boards, components and subsystems for a small satellite program. The role offers broad exposure and cross-training opportunities within a dynamic aerospace team.

You will develop and apply thermal models, support testing, and brief results to managers and sponsors. Level 3/4 roles require independent work and potential relocation considerations in a hybrid setup.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of thermal experience in spacecraft
• Strong Thermal Desktop with SINDA/FLUINT
• Background in radiative heat transfer; rocket space experience preferred
• BSc in mechanical/aerospace/materials engineering

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft thermal design and analysis at board, component, subsystem and system level
• Develop thermal models to predict loads, impacts and temperature margins
• Brief design and analysis results to programme managers, customers and sponsors
• Identify materials, processes and facilities needed for a qualified spacecraft thermal design
• Support thermal verification testing on spacecraft systems and components, including test design, conduct, data reduction, analysis and reporting
• Develop tools for conceptual design and post processing analysis
• Contribute to proposals and new business development
• Cross train with the MLI team on blanket design, fabrication and installation

Skills

Thermal design

Thermal analysis

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

Radiative heat transfer

Education

BSc in engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ANSYS

Thermica

Job description

Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Los Angeles area, California

This is a small satellite company focused on national security space, part of one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence groups. Their missions include missile warning and Earth observation.

They offer startup pace with the stability of the parent business behind it. The work is broad rather than narrow, so engineers here are not pigeonholed into one corner of thermal.

The thermal team supports the Spacecraft Development Programme Managers and Chief Systems Engineer across configuration, design, analysis, testing and flight operations. There is also the chance to cross train with the MLI team for hands on work.

They are hiring at Level 3 and Level 4.

What you will do

• Perform spacecraft thermal design and analysis at board, component, subsystem and system level
• Develop systems and spacecraft element thermal models to predict thermal loads, impacts and temperature margins
• Brief design and analysis material to programme managers, customers and sponsors
• Identify the materials, processes and facilities needed for a qualified spacecraft thermal design
• Support thermal verification testing on spacecraft systems and components, covering test design, test conduct, data reduction, analysis and reporting
• Support the development of tools for conceptual design and post processing analysis
• Contribute to proposals and new business development
• Cross train with the MLI team on blanket design, fabrication and installation

Who this suits

• Someone with 5 to 10 years in thermal, ideally across spacecraft work
• Strong Thermal Desktop experience, used alongside SINDA/FLUINT. Other tools such as ANSYS or Thermica are useful
• A radiative heat transfer background. Rocket experience works where there is earlier space work involving radiative heat transfer
• A BSc in engineering with a focus on mechanical, civil, aerospace, aeronautical or materials science
• Level 4 suits someone who leads projects, works independently and has broad spacecraft thermal experience. Level 3 suits someone with some independence who still wants support around them
• US citizenship, with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. An active clearance is preferred

What you get

Level 3: $102,000 to $150,000. Level 4: $124,100 to $182,500. Hybrid working with every other Friday off. Out of state candidates are welcome, with relocation covered as a lump sum sign on bonus subject to approval. This role is export controlled and requires US Person status. There is no visa sponsorship. The company is a drug free workplace with post offer testing, and successful candidates complete a conflict of interest assessment.