Thermal Engineer - Spacecraft and Satellite Systems

Socket.dev; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Jeans every day

Regular onsite food trucks

11 paid holidays

Adjustable stand-up desks

Educational assistance & professional-

Company golf outings

Job summary

Sidus Space is seeking a Thermal Engineer to lead thermal analysis, modeling, and verification for spacecraft and satellite components. The role is onsite in Cape Canaveral, FL, requiring 5+ years of space-system thermal engineering experience.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable thermal performance in harsh space environments, supporting tests and qualification campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years experience in spacecraft thermal analysis or electronics thermal design.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 for communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed thermal analyses of electronics and spacecraft hardware using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN.
• Develop and maintain thermal models to support design trades, requirements development, and system-level thermal architecture.
• Identify thermal risks, propose mitigation strategies, and drive design improvements.
• Plan and support thermal vacuum testing, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification activities.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to integrate thermal considerations into multi-disciplinary spacecraft development.
• Generate clear and comprehensive technical documentation, analysis reports, and presentations for internal and external design reviews.
• Provide thermal expertise during build, integration, and test phases to ensure compliance with design intent.
• Treat all coworkers with respect and dignity ensuring a collaborative culture is continually developed and maintained.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Thermal analysis

Thermal modeling

Spacecraft thermal design

Electronics thermal design

Environmental testing

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ESATAN

CAD (SolidWorks)

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ESATAN

SolidWorks

Job description

Sidus Space® (NASDAQ: SIDU) is an innovative space and defense technology company offering flexible, cost-effective solutions, including satellite manufacturing and technology integration, AI-driven space-based data solutions, mission planning and management operations, AI/ML products and services, and space and defense hardware manufacturing. With its mission of Space Access Reimagined®, Sidus Space is committed to rapid innovation, adaptable and cost-effective solutions, and the optimization of space system and data collection performance. With demonstrated space heritage, including manufacturing and operating its own satellite and sensor system, LizzieSat®, Sidus Space serves government, defense, intelligence, and commercial companies around the globe.

Strategically headquartered on Florida’s Space Coast, Sidus Space operates a 35,000-square-foot space manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing facility and provides easy access to nearby launch facilities. But it’s our people who truly set us apart. We foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and agility, empowering our team to innovate and evolve in a rapidly changing industry. Join us at Sidus Space to be part of something extraordinary and help shape the future of space access!

Job Summary

The Thermal Engineer will support the development of spacecraft and satellite systems. In this role you will lead thermal analysis, modeling, and verification of circuit cards, electronic assemblies, and spacecraft components to ensure system reliability and performance in harsh space environments.

The position is 100% onsite, located in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Perform detailed thermal analyses of electronics and spacecraft hardware using industry-standard tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN).
• Develop and maintain thermal models to support design trades, requirements development, and system-level thermal architecture.
• Identify thermal risks, propose mitigation strategies, and drive design improvements.
• Plan and support thermal vacuum testing, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification activities.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to integrate thermal considerations into multi-disciplinary spacecraft development.
• Generate clear and comprehensive technical documentation, analysis reports, and presentations for internal and external design reviews.
• Provide thermal expertise during build, integration, and test phases to ensure compliance with design intent.
• Treat all coworkers with respect and dignity ensuring a collaborative culture is continually developed and maintained.
• Other duties as assigned**

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft thermal analysis, electronics thermal design, or related space-system thermal engineering.

• Proficient in Microsoft 365 for communication and collaboration.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience developing thermal architectures for satellites or space hardware.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or similar thermal analysis tools.
• Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (TVAC, thermal cycling).
• Familiarity with high-density electronics, electronic packaging, and thermal management strategies for space systems.
• Working knowledge of CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods standing or walking on hard surfaces
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Sedentary Work – occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to carry, lift, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves being stationary most of the time, sometimes requiring moving about the work center on concrete surfaces.
• Computer Work – daily use of laptop, computer monitor screen, keyboard, and mouse, sometimes utilizing a headset with microphone & speakers.

Travel Requirement

Ability to travel < 10%

Shift/Schedule

Onsite work Monday through Friday; day shift generally working 8am to 5pm

Drug-Free Workplace

Sidus Space is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies

Total Rewards and Perks

At Sidus Space, we ask a lot of our team members, which is why we give so much in return. In addition to a competitive salary, a Best-in-Class benefit program with a generous employer paid portion as well as a matching 401(k) on Day ONE, we offer a lot of perks, including:

• Jeans every day
• Regular onsite food trucks
• 5 free company t-shirts for Manufacturing Staff
• Paid Time Off (vacation and sick days) and 11 paid holidays
• Adjustable stand-up desks
• Employee referral bonus program
• Educational assistance and professional training opportunities
• Company golf outings and other social events

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All candidates selected will be subject to a background investigation and drug screen.
• To conform to U.S. Government 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.

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SIDUS SPACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer fostering a respectful work culture that values all contributors. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Sidus Space’s Aff