Senior Thermal Engineer

Louisville, CO
Full Time
Experienced
The Senior Thermal Engineer specializing in spacecraft thermal control is a vital role responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing thermal systems to ensure the proper functioning and survivability of spacecraft in the demanding environment of space. This position involves collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop thermal control architectures, conducting advanced thermal analyses, and applying expertise in heat transfer and fluid dynamics. The engineer will also contribute to test and validation efforts, assess and mitigate thermal risks, and provide technical leadership and mentoring. With strong qualifications and skills in spacecraft thermal control, including proficiency in modeling and simulation software, this engineer will play a key role in ensuring mission success by effectively managing the spacecraft's thermal behavior and protecting sensitive equipment. 

Responsibilities
  • Develop thermal control architectures, including selection and integration of thermal control components such as radiators, heat pipes, thermal blankets, and temperature sensors by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.  
  • Optimize thermal performance of spacecraft systems by contributing to the spacecraft design and layout.  
  • Ensure spacecraft thermal stability and functionality throughout mission phases by conducting thermal analyses using advanced modeling and simulation tools, including transient and steady-state analyses.  
  • Enhance thermal efficiency of spacecraft systems by applying expertise in heat transfer and fluid dynamics to design innovative thermal solutions, including heat rejection systems, thermal control loops, and active/passive cooling mechanisms.  
  • Manage heat dissipation in electronic components and power systems by optimizing thermal interfaces. 
  • Validate thermal models and drive design improvements by developing test plans and procedures for thermal testing, including coordination and participation in thermal vacuum tests, thermal cycling tests, and thermal performance verifications through thermal model correlation. 
  • Propose mitigation strategies and design modifications to ensure the spacecraft's thermal control system can handle the expected thermal loads and environmental conditions by identifying potential thermal risks and challenges in spacecraft missions, such as thermal gradients, temperature constraints, and thermal stress. 
  • Contribute to the development of thermal control guidelines, standards, and best practices by preparing technical reports, specifications, and presentations to communicate thermal design concepts, analysis results, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and customers. 
  • Foster professional development within the thermal engineering team and provide technical guidance by sharing expertise and staying up to date with the latest advancements in the field. 
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, related Engineering discipline, or equivalent.
  • 8+ years of related professional work experience or an Master's degree and 6+ years of experience 
  • Knowledge and understanding of the application of technical principles, theories, and concepts for developing active and passive thermal control systems 
  • Strong proficiency in thermal modeling and simulation software such as (SINDA/G, SINDA/FLUINT, TSS, Thermal Desktop, SpaceClaim, or ESATAN-TMS) 
  • Design, analysis, and integration experience of spacecraft thermal systems 
  • Experience using aerospace standard design tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) 
  • Experience with thermal testing techniques, equipment, and instrumentation 
  • Familiarity with spacecraft systems and subsystems, including power systems, electronics, and payload integration. 
  • Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple tasks simultaneously 
  • Spacecraft and/or Payload background with experience through the entire system lifecycle from concept, design, and production. Integration, test, launch to operation support 
  • Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and analytical thinking. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex thermal concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
  • Demonstrated leadership abilities, including the mentoring and development of junior engineers 

Compensation

  • The anticipated compensation for this position is $150,000-$200,000/yr, depending on previous experience.

 
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