Thermal Engineer II

York Space Systems; Greenwood Village (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

York Space Systems is seeking a Thermal Engineer II to design and analyze thermal systems, ensuring satellites stay within temperature limits throughout their life cycle. You will leverage on-orbit data to refine future mission designs and develop empirical tools for similar systems.

Responsibilities include radiator and heater sizing, material selection with hardware teams, thermal interface management, and verification planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years in spacecraft thermal engineering with expertise in thermal analysis, component design, or thermal testing.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of heat transfer principles, thermodynamics in spacecraft systems.
• Strong communication to diverse audiences and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with configuration control and design lifecycle management.
• Willingness to obtain US government security clearance.
• Self-initiated work in a team environment and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal analyses to determine radiator and heater sizing, coatings selection, and ensure thermal limits.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to select materials, processes, and testing protocols.
• Establish and manage thermal interfaces among spacecraft subsystems for compatibility.
• Communicate thermal requirements to suppliers and contractors for compliance.
• Design and implement test and verification plans for thermal validation.
• Coordinate across engineering on clean sheet designs and improvements.
• Interface with programs and customers on design needs and requirements.
• Support peers to ensure best practices across all products.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Thermal analysis software

Job description

York Space Systems is looking for a talented Thermal Engineer II who specializes in thermal design and analysis to ensure all satellite components remain within their temperature limits throughout a mission's life cycle. This role is ideal for candidates passionate about using on-orbit data to refine future mission designs and capable of developing empirical tools to support similar system designs.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive thermal analyses to determine radiator and heater sizing, select appropriate external coatings, and ensure all spacecraft components remain within thermal limits.
• Collaborate with hardware developers to select materials, processes, and testing protocols that meet thermal design specifications.
• Establish and manage thermal interfaces among various spacecraft subsystems to ensure compatibility and functional integration.
• Communicate and enforce thermal interface and environmental requirements to suppliers and contractors for component compliance.
• Design and implement test and verification plans for thermal validation, establishing proper verification levels for spacecraft components.
• Coordinate across engineering on clean sheet designs and design improvements.
• Interface directly with programs and the end customer on high level and detail level design needs and requirements.
• Support peers through checking and collaboration to ensure best practices is implemented on all products developed within the team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 2+ years in spacecraft thermal engineering or a closely related field with demonstrated expertise in thermal analysis, component design, or thermal testing.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred as this tool is a core part of the job. Candidates should be able to perform thermal analysis, model thermal environments, and optimize spacecraft design using this software.
• Understanding of heat transfer principles, thermodynamics, and their applications in spacecraft systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively within cross-functional teams and communicate complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to convey design decisions, analysis conclusions, and recommendations meaningfully across departments.
• Experience with configuration control, the lifecycle of a design release and product lifecycle management.
• Demonstrates self-initiated work in a team environment with an ability to work independently.
• Possession of a US government security clearance or an ability and desire to obtain one.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with integrated software/hardware verification and testing for spacecraft is a plus.
• Familiarity with the entire spacecraft development lifecycle, from initial concept through final mission execution in orbit.