Thermal Engineer – Aerospace / Spacecraft Thermal Systems | San Diego, CA
Our client, an early-stage aerospace and advanced energy startup developing high-power space systems, is looking for a Thermal Engineer to join their team on-site in San Diego, CA. This role owns the full lifecycle of spacecraft thermal system development – from architecture and analysis through testing, integration, and flight readiness – leading thermal modeling, trade studies, and thermal testing while working cross-functionally to define thermal control requirements and set thermal engineering standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Own spacecraft thermal design, thermal modeling, and thermal analysis across the full program lifecycle
- Lead thermal trade studies and thermal testing, including thermal vacuum (TVac) testing
- Define thermal control requirements and establish thermal engineering standards
- Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate thermal systems with the wider vehicle design
- Support integration, flight readiness, and anomaly resolution investigations
Essential Experience
- 8+ years in thermal engineering, ideally within aerospace or high-performance systems
- Strong expertise in thermal analysis, thermal modeling, and spacecraft thermal control systems
- Hands-on experience with active and passive thermal management, TVac testing, and thermal design trade studies
- Proficient in thermal analysis tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, or equivalent
- Strong independent problem-solver, comfortable in a fast-paced R&D environment
Desirable Experience
- Spacecraft thermal systems experience spanning the full program lifecycle
- Multi-layer insulation (MLI), heat pipes, pumped fluid systems, thermal blankets, and optical coatings
- Leadership of cross-functional thermal engineering efforts and vehicle-level thermal design
- Design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, and operation of spacecraft thermal control systems