Sr. Thermal Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

4d

About The Position

SpaceX is developing Starlink, a vertically integrated satellite broadband system comprising satellites, receiver antennas, lasers, gateways, and software. The Sr. Thermal Engineer is responsible for thermal design, testing, and validation across Starlink hardware, including phased array antennas, custom silicon for chips, consumer WiFi, and future RF systems. The work supports hardware operating in environments ranging from research labs in Antarctica to in-flight conditions.

The engineer owns thermal system design across components, parts, and interfaces; develops semiconductor package thermal designs from concepts through simulation and lab testing; and devises and conducts tests to validate hardware performance in extreme conditions. The role also applies first-principles analysis, improves performance and robustness, automates workflows, documents requirements and specifications, and collaborates continuously with mechanical, electrical, software, and RF design teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in thermal analysis and modeling; internship or project experience is applicable.
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Must meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience using scientific programming languages such as MATLAB or Python.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench.
• Experience with 3D modeling and 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks.
• Experience with tools such as Flotherm or Icepak.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule.

Responsibilities

• Design thermal systems for next-generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products, owning components, parts, and interfaces.
• Design semiconductor package thermal solutions, from high-level concepts through detailed thermal simulations and laboratory testing.
• Devise, build, and run tests to validate hardware performance in extreme conditions.
• Automate workflows and pursue operational simplicity to reduce engineering investment in the design cycle.
• Use first-principles methods to evaluate sizing cases and the impact of design decisions.
• Analyze designs and recommend performance and robustness improvements.
• Produce documentation of work for design requirements and specifications.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and RF design teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior