Principal Thermal Design Engineer
Core
Lead detailed thermal design and analysis for high-power satellite subsystems, ensuring survival in harsh radiation environments and optimizing thermal management strategies for missions from LEO to deep space.
Role type
Principal Thermal Design Engineer (Spacecraft Systems)
Builds
High-power satellite platforms for constellation-scale missions
Domain
Aerospace / Satellite Systems / Thermal Engineering
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work -> physical/clinical work (Thermal control hardware & testing)
Required skills
Thermal analysis (component & spacecraft level), Radiative and conductive thermal modeling, Thermal control hardware design (heat pipes, heaters, MLI, TEC), Thermal cycling and TVAC testing, Thermal model correlation, Vendor interface for thermal requirements, Data automation
Preferred skills
Full-vehicle thermal vacuum testing, Cost-reliability-performance optimization, Integrated spacecraft-rocket analysis, Solar panel thermal modeling, Electrical PCBA thermal modeling, Radiator design, SMC-S016 standard familiarity, Python/C/C++/Matlab for automation
Technologies
Thermal Desktop, Ansys IcePak, Python, C/C++, Matlab
Responsibilities
Develop passive and active thermal control hardware (radiators, heat pipes, surface coatings), Create and maintain thermal models for spacecraft and sub-components, Execute thermal testing from development to qualification, Collaborate with Mechanical, Avionics, and GNC teams on thermal integration, Automate data analysis for architectural trades, Interface with vendors and launcher providers
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with strategic impact