Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer - Space Exploration Systems

Job Summary

Required Qualifications

• •Passion for our mission and vision
• •Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related technical discipline
• •10+ years of relevant experience in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis, thermodynamics, and/or fluid systems
• •15+ years of relevant experience in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis, thermodynamics, and/or fluid systems
• •Proven, hands-on experience designing and analyzing thermal control systems within the space or aerospace industry
• •Expert-level understanding of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), fluid flow, and thermodynamic principles as applied to spacecraft thermal control systems
• •Deep familiarity with spacecraft thermal control hardware including heaters, MLI blankets, thermal coatings, heat pipes, radiators, thermostats, and thermal isolators
• •Proficiency with industry-standard thermal analysis tools including Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and ANSYS Workbench, including model development, validation, correlation, and uncertainty quantification
• •Experience defining thermal requirements, thermal control strategies, and verification approaches at the component, subsystem, and system level
• •Strong understanding of structural and mechanical design fundamentals as they relate to passive thermal hardware integration and producibility
• •Solid grasp of the product development lifecycle in the space industry from design through test, verification, and operations
• •Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and managing complex, multi-deliverable projects
• •Ability to write clear, concise technical reports and present findings confidently to multi-disciplinary audiences
• •Excellent problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments
• •Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
• •Must be able to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical
• •Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Desired Qualifications

• •Familiarity with lunar surface thermal environments including diurnal temperature extremes, hard vacuum conditions, solar and albedo flux, regolith thermal properties, and eclipse and survival heating considerations
• •Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical systems thermal control system design and integration
• •Avionics thermal systems expertise at the component and system level
• •Familiarity with cryogenic thermal control systems
• •Proficiency in trajectory-dependent thermal analysis for launch vehicles or spacecraft
• •Working knowledge of aerospace standards and regulations including NASA-STD, ECSS, and MIL-HDBK as they apply to thermal control systems
• •Experience on verification and validation programs for complex spaceflight systems
• •Knowledge of MATLAB and/or Python for scripting, data analysis, and thermal model automation
• •Experience with 3D CAD tools, preferably Autodesk Inventor
• •Strong executive-level reporting and presentation skills
• •Proven ability to prioritize and deliver under tight deadlines in dynamic program environments