Thermal Engineer II

Quantum Space•Rockville, MD

6d•$100,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Quantum Space is seeking a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to contribute to the development, implementation, and validation of thermal control solutions for its spacecraft platforms. The engineer will assist with major aspects of spacecraft thermal design, analysis, and verification, working with engineers and scientists in a fast-paced startup environment. The role includes responsibility for thermal system performance as well as hands-on integration and testing. The position supports spacecraft thermal modeling, design reviews, thermal vacuum testing, supplier and customer documentation, verification reporting, and integration, test, and launch-site operations. The engineer will help improve thermal tools, workflows, and standards to support efficiency and repeatability across programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
At least 2 years of relevant thermal engineering experience; spacecraft experience is strongly preferred.
Advanced proficiency in Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent thermal analysis tools.
Experience with spacecraft flight hardware, integration, and thermal vacuum testing.
Familiarity with NASA, commercial, and industry standards for spacecraft design.
Demonstrated experience correlating thermal models with test data.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft operations, thermal limits, and anomaly resolution.
Knowledge of thermal coatings, adhesives, multilayer insulation (MLI), and related materials.
Exposure to electrical component thermal modeling and PCB thermal behavior.
Experience with heat pipes, loop heat pipes, radiators, and advanced thermal hardware.
Understanding of orbital dynamics and thermal environments across varying mission profiles.
Prior experience in a fast-paced startup or NewSpace environment.

Responsibilities

Develop high-fidelity spacecraft component thermal models to predict on-orbit performance.
Review, refine, and correlate as-built thermal models and vendor-supplied thermal documentation.
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure spacecraft designs meet thermal requirements.
Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, execution, correlation, and troubleshooting.
Develop tools, workflows, and standards within the thermal ecosystem to improve efficiency and repeatability.
Generate simplified models, thermal environments, and interface documentation for suppliers and customers.
Review and approve component and assembly designs for thermal flight readiness.
Produce engineering content and analyses for design reviews, test readiness reviews, and verification reports.
Support integration, test, and launch-site operations for spacecraft thermal performance.