Thermal Engineer

Space Kinetic Corp.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity-Based Compensation

Competitive PTO and holidays

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Space Kinetic is seeking a Thermal Engineer to join the Mechanical Engineering group in El Segundo, CA. You will perform thermal analysis, hardware design, acquisition, and testing to ensure components operate within safe temperatures in the harsh space environment, focusing on passive and active thermal control systems.

Responsibilities include designing thermal hardware (MLI blankets, heaters, venting), developing tests (TVAC, thermal cycling), documenting analyses and reviews, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field with 1–2 years of related experience.
• Thermal design of satellite components from high-level analysis to validation with ground tests and orbital data.
• Experience designing and acquiring MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardware.
• Experience in spacecraft integration and testing.
• CAD software experience: SolidWorks/CREO/AutoCAD.

Responsibilities

• Thermal hardware design, analysis and test (MLI blankets, heaters, venting, heat pipes, sensors, etc.).
• Develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the system including radiators, heaters and heat pipes.
• Document analyses, drawings, reports and test procedures for reviews.
• Design, plan, execute and document TVAC and thermal cycling tests.
• Collaborate with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, and System Engineering teams.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Thermal design

CAD software

MATLAB/Python

Thermal software

Analytical skills

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD valued

Tools

ANSYS Thermal Desktop/Sinda/Fluint/RadCad

Siemens Space Systems Thermal

SolidWorks

CREO

AutoCAD

Job description

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head‑on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one‑to‑many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head‑on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one‑to‑many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40‑hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first‑of‑its‑kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You’ll Do:

Space Kinetic is looking for a Thermal Engineer to assist with thermal analysis, hardware design, hardware acquisition, and test within the simulation group of the Mechanical Engineering department. They will ensure that components will operate within safe temperature ranges despite the extreme thermal environment of space. They will work on passive and active thermal control systems.

• Thermal hardware design, analysis and test (MLI blankets, heaters, venting, heat pipes, sensors, etc...)
• Work with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the system including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surface coatings etc...
• Technical document creation, including drawings, analysis reports, test plans, test procedures, test reports, and presentations for reviews, and document management
• Design, plan, execute and document TVAC and Thermal Cycling tests
• Developmental testing of thermal interfaces and material characterization
• Materials database creation and maintenance
• Work closely with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, and System Engineering functional teams
• Map temperatures on structural finite element models
• Interface with Manufacturing and Production to monitor component fabrication progress
• Interface with integration and test group to monitor component integration and testing
• Compilation of comprehensive parts lists using information from Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, online databases, and data from subcontractors and suppliers
• Design validation and verification (V&V) through analysis and test

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 1-2 years of related experience. Advanced Degrees (Master's or Ph.D.) in similar disciplines are highly valued with correspondingly lower experience requirements.
• Thermal design of satellite components, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital data
• Devise, build and run tests to validate the performance of the hardware in extreme conditions
• Operate and use lab tools and equipment.
• Experience using space thermal analysis software similar to ANSYS Thermal Desktop Sinda/Fluint/RadCad, Siemens Space Systems Thermal or similar
• Understanding orbital thermal environments
• Experience designing and acquiring MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardware
• Experience in spacecraft integration and testing
• Experience in CAD software (Solidworks, CREO, AutoCAD)
• MATLAB/Python basic knowledge
• Correlating thermal models with test data
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance
• Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail-oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow-through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to criticism and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication
• 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 ITAR here

What We’d Love:

• Prior experience with spacecraft design
• Experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment
• Passion for the commercial and government space industry.

Where You’ll Be:

• The position will be on site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Base Salary + Equity-Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

ITAR Requirements:

This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). 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 ITAR here.

• 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 ITAR here

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

Pay Range: $75,000 USD - $125,000 USD