Thermal Test Engineer

Intuitive Machines; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

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

This role involves developing test requirements and procedures, monitoring telemetry, coordinating with chamber operators, and working across shifts as testing campaigns occur. BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering with relevant experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• 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 including weekends/holidays during testing campaigns (tests are typically 30 days long, ~6 tests per year).

Responsibilities

• Develop requirements for thermal vacuum testing and test equipment.
• Monitor spacecraft telemetry to ensure safety during tests.
• Lead regular multifunctional meetings and coordinate test activities.
• Perform thermal tests to validate hardware design and workmanship.
• Collect and analyze test data and prepare reports.

Skills

Shift work ability

Strong verbal communication

Collaboration skills

Education

BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering

MS in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related

Tools

Creo

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

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

Other related activities (~10% time):

• Standard business hours
• Examples: continuous improvement projects, helping procure flight thermal hardware, and assisting thermal vacuum chamber operators

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

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

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

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

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.