Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

Observable Space•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

We are seeking a highly-motivated and hands-on Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll design and develop thermal control systems for telescope platforms and spacecraft. You’ll work with a multidisciplinary team of optical, electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure thermal stability and performance for ground-based and potential future space-based deployment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
5+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace or high-performance systems.
Strong understanding of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, convection, radiation).
Experience with thermal analysis tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, or similar).
Experience developing and validating thermal models for complex systems.
Effective communicator and collaborator.
Demonstrated passion for aerospace or observational technologies.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft thermal control systems and space environments (LEO, GEO, or deep space).
Understanding of FEA (ANSYS, Nastran, etc.), tolerance analysis, and DFM principles.
Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, thermal cycling, and model correlation.
Grasp of materials, coatings, surface properties, and thermal interface design.
Understanding of system engineering workflows, interface control documents, and verification processes.
Experience working in fast-paced, early-stage or startup environments.
Basic scripting or automation (Python, MATLAB) for thermal modeling or data analysis.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize thermal control systems for spacecraft and telescope platforms (e.g., radiators, heaters, insulation, thermal straps, and enclosures).
Develop thermal models and perform detailed thermal analysis (steady-state and transient) across operational environments.
Perform STOP analysis (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance) to verify system-level thermal stability and its impact on optical performance.
Conduct FEA simulations for thermal, structural, and environmental conditions.
Collaborate with optics, mechanical, and electrical teams to ensure proper thermal integration with imaging, tracking, and sensing subsystems.
Define thermal requirements, margins, and verification strategies for system and subsystem performance.
Support environmental testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, and validation of thermal models.
Support the full product lifecycle, from concept design and prototyping to testing and production.
Participate in and contribute to design reviews (PDR, CDR, etc.) and internal documentation.
Provide engineering support during fabrication, integration, QC, and system validation.