Senior/Principal Thermal Engineer

AscendArc • Beaverton, OR

5d • $180,000 - $210,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Come join us in shaping the future! Get on the ground floor as an early member of our Mechanical Engineering team as a Thermal Engineer developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it. AscendArc is a startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground-breaking and fast-paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, with a focus in thermal sciences or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in thermal analysis, preferably in spacecraft or aerospace applications
• Proficiency with industry-standard thermal modeling tools, Ansys Thermal Desktop preferred
• Strong understanding of thermal control systems, space environments, and heat transfer fundamentals
• Hands-on experience supporting thermal testing, including instrumentation planning and data analysis

Nice To Haves

• Thrive in a cradle-to-grave design environment and take ownership from concept through launch.
• Bring energy, curiosity, and a responsible engineering mindset.
• Want to work alongside other exceptional people in an environment where great ideas rise to the top.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of global spacecraft thermal models and subsystem trade studies.
• Define and implement thermal control system specifications and test requirements.
• Translate mission environments into thermal design requirements, balancing heritage systems with first-principles analysis.
• Influence hardware qualification plans and support test campaigns with analysis, instrumentation planning, and data interpretation.

What This Job Offers

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