Thermal Test Engineer

Lanteris Space LLC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Lanteris Space Systems in Palo Alto, CA is seeking a Thermal Test Engineer to join the Thermal Subsystem team. The role focuses on preparing for and executing spacecraft-level and assembly-level thermal vacuum tests to validate design and workmanship.

You will develop testing requirements, define equipment specifications, and monitor telemetry to ensure safe test execution while coordinating with cross-functional teams. The position requires flexibility for shifts and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident required.
• BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related discipline; four additional years of relevant experience may substitute for degree.
• 2 years of relevant experience or a master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related discipline.
• Ability to accommodate day, swing, and grave shifts during testing campaigns (tests are typically 30 days long, ~6 tests per year).

Responsibilities

• Develop requirements for thermal vacuum testing (~50% time).
• Define requirements for thermal test equipment and alarms.
• Develop and maintain data collection and analysis spreadsheets.
• Develop test procedures to satisfy all requirements.
• Lead regular multifunctional meetings before testing.
• Provide shift support during thermal vacuum testing (~40% time).
• Monitor spacecraft telemetry to ensure safety and test objectives.
• Perform thermal tests to validate hardware design and workmanship.
• Communicate with chamber operators and spacecraft personnel to coordinate tests.

Skills

Thermal vacuum testing

Spacecraft thermal design

Creo

MS Office

Quick thinking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organization

Project management

Leadership

Attention to detail

Space systems

Education

BS in mechanical or aerospace eng

Master's in mechanical or aerospace eng

Tools

Creo

Calorimeters

Thermocouples

Cryo plates

Job description

Please review the job details below. Lanteris Space Systems is currently seeking a Thermal Test Engineer to join our Thermal Subsystem team in Palo Alto, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for preparing for and executing spacecraft-level and assembly-level thermal vacuum tests to validate design and workmanship.

Responsibilities:

Develop requirements for thermal vacuum testing (~50% time): Standard business hours (Mon-Fri, ~9am-5pm) though occasionally requires support outside of standard business hours Involves working closely with a senior Thermal Technical Lead Define requirements for thermal test equipment, e.g. thermocouples, test heaters, calorimeters, multilayer insulation, cryo plates, calrods, etc. Determine alarm limits for all flight and test temperature sensors Develop and maintain spreadsheets for collecting, monitoring, and analyzing test data Develop test procedures to ensure all test requirements are satisfied Lead regular multifunctional meetings in advance of testing Perform pre-test checkouts of all test instrumentation Provide shift support during thermal vacuum testing (~40% time): 8-hour shifts (day, swing, and grave), requires support outside of standard business hours including weekends and company holidays when testing is underway Monitor spacecraft telemetry, especially temperatures, to ensure the safety of the spacecraft while completing all test objectives Understand spacecraft subsystems and ground test equipment such that appropriate emergency actions to ensure spacecraft health can be taken if anomalies occur Perform thermal tests to validate thermal hardware (heaters, thermistors, heat pipes, etc.) design and workmanship Collect and analyze test data Effectively communicate with thermal vacuum chamber operators, thermal engineers, and other spacecraft personnel to successfully coordinate test activities Follow procedures, complete data sheets, and generate reports.

Minimum Requirements:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related discipline; four additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree
• 2 years of relevant experience or a master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related discipline
• Ability to accommodate day, swing, and grave shifts as well as weekend/holiday shifts during thermal vacuum testing campaigns (tests are typically 30 days long, ~6 tests per year)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in thermal vacuum testing
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal design
• College coursework in heat transfer, especially radiative heat transfer
• Creo experience
• Proficient with MS Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Ability to think quickly and react with a sense of urgency
• Strong verbal communication and collaboration skills
• Effective written communication, organization, project/time management, attention to detail, and leadership skills
• Interest in thermal engineering and/or space systems

The base pay for this position within California is: $82,000.00 - $136,000.00 annually.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.