Thermal Engineer — Space Systems Startup (Equity)

Space Kinetic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity-based compensation

Competitive PTO & holidays

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Job summary

Space Kinetic in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an entry‑level Thermal Design Engineer to design and analyze spacecraft thermal hardware, including MLI blankets, radiators, and heaters, and to collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams.

Responsibilities include testing TVAC and thermal cycling, maintaining a material database, creating technical documents and BOMs, and validating designs through analysis and tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with 1–2 years of experience.
• Experience in thermal design of satellite components from high‑level analysis to ground and orbital test validation.
• Ability to devise, build and run tests to validate hardware performance in extreme conditions.
• Use of lab tools and equipment.
• Experience with space thermal analysis software such as ANSYS Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, RadCad, Siemens Space Systems Thermal or similar.
• Understanding of orbital thermal environments.
• Experience designing and acquiring MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardware.
• Experience in spacecraft integration and testing.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, CREO, AutoCAD).
• Basic MATLAB/Python knowledge.
• Ability to correlate thermal models with test data.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• Work autonomously, learn quickly, possess strong analytical, creative and innovative thinking, diligence, calm under pressure, follow‑through, enthusiasm for motivating others, openness to feedback and effective written communication.
• Eligibility under U.S. Government export regulations (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee, or ability to obtain required authorizations).

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze thermal hardware (MLI blankets, heaters, venting, heat pipes, sensors, etc.).
• Collaborate with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the system, including radiators and surface coatings.
• Create technical documents: drawings, analysis reports, test plans and procedures, test reports and presentations.
• Plan, execute and document TVAC and thermal cycling tests.
• Conduct developmental testing of thermal interfaces and material characterization.
• Create and maintain a material database.
• Work with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion and System Engineering teams.
• Map temperatures on structural finite element models.
• Interface with Manufacturing and Production to monitor fabrication progress.
• Interface with Integration and Test group to monitor assembly and testing.
• Compile comprehensive parts lists using BOMs and drawings.
• Validate and verify design through analysis and test (V&V).

Skills

Thermal design

Spacecraft integration

CAD

MATLAB/Python

V&V testing

Thermal analysis tools

Analytical thinking

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Thermal Desktop

Sinda/Fluint

RadCad

SolidWorks

CREO

AutoCAD

MATLAB

Job description

Space Kinetic in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an entry‑level Thermal Design Engineer to design and analyze spacecraft thermal hardware, including MLI blankets, radiators, and heaters, and to collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams.

Responsibilities include testing TVAC and thermal cycling, maintaining a material database, creating technical documents and BOMs, and validating designs through analysis and tests.