Thermal Engineer, Project Sunrise
About The Position
The Thermal Engineer will join Blue Origin’s Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) organization and support Project Sunrise, a satellite constellation of orbital data centers. The role focuses on designing, analyzing, and integrating advanced spacecraft heat-rejection systems, particularly high-performance space radiators. The engineer will apply fundamental thermal principles and analysis tools, including CFD, to resolve heat-transfer challenges and support reliable operation in the space environment. The position supports thermal architecture and hardware throughout the lifecycle, from concept development and trade studies through detailed design, manufacturing, and testing. It includes thermal modeling and spacecraft-environment analysis, collaborating across disciplines to establish requirements and interfaces, and using test results to validate models and demonstrate compliance.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- At least 2 years of experience in thermal design and analysis, or an advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) focused on heat transfer or thermal-fluid sciences.
- Demonstrated understanding of conduction, convection, and radiation.
- Experience with at least one thermal-analysis or CFD software package, such as Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, Star-CCM+, or Ansys Fluent.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant field with a dissertation or thesis focused on heat transfer, radiator technology, or CFD.
- Experience designing and analyzing thermal systems for spacecraft or vacuum environments.
- Proficiency with industry-standard thermal-analysis software such as Thermal Desktop and Sinda/Fluint.
- Experience modeling two-phase flow, heat pipes, cryogenic fluids, or other complex thermal-fluid systems.
- Knowledge of spacecraft thermal-control hardware and materials.
- Interest in and understanding of AI and machine-learning applications in engineering, with demonstrated ability to learn and integrate new technologies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Design and analyze high-performance spacecraft radiators and thermal-control systems, including heat pipes, cold plates, vapor chambers, oscillating heat pipes, and pumped fluid loops.
- Develop and apply thermal models to predict and validate component and integrated-system performance using tools such as Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, and CFD software.
- Analyze spacecraft thermal environments, including orbital mechanics and solar, albedo, and planetary infrared heating.
- Support thermal hardware through concept development, trade studies, detailed design, manufacturing, and testing.
- Use CFD and other analysis tools to investigate complex thermal-fluid phenomena, including two-phase flow in heat-rejection loops.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to define thermal requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies.
- Analyze test data to anchor thermal models and demonstrate compliance with requirements.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Basic and supplemental life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Short- and long-term disability
- 401(k) with company match of up to 5%
- Education Support Program
- Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
- Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
- Up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions or company results; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
