Lead Thermal Engineer

Albedo is making Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) mainstream, building the infrastructure to usher every satellite mission set into this new orbital domain. We build buses, integrated satellites, and turnkey missions for customers to thrive in VLEO, between 250 km - 400 km, where proximity compounds performance and drag self‑cleans debris. As part of the first 100 employees at Albedo, you will have a big impact on Albedo’s trajectory to proliferating VLEO – whether you’re advancing hardware to increase satellite longevity, scaling production for large constellations, building next‑gen flight and ground software to push performance, or enabling missions that matter for national security and our day‑to‑day life here on earth. How We Operate: Albedo takes a first‑principles approach – in space and in business. We move with speed, take calculated risks, and learn quickly. We use AI regularly to create leverage in every discipline across the company. We work in‑person at our Broomfield CO HQ to maximize team and company productivity. We work hard and with urgency to compound our first‑mover advantage. Who We're Looking For: Builders who want to own outcomes, not tasks. Systems thinkers who balance precision with iteration while thinking about the big picture. Individuals who are energized by creating a category rather than competing in an existing one. You’ll join a team that has already proven what others said wasn’t feasible and is now scaling and upgrading our VLEO buses & payloads to serve mission sets across sensing, communications, and responsive operations. If you can feel the excitement running through your veins, apply to be one of the Bedo 100. What You’ll Do Own spacecraft‑ and payload‑level thermal architecture for assigned vehicles or hardware domains. Define thermal modeling strategy, fidelity, and margin application across mission phases. Build, maintain, and correlate system‑level thermal models using Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT. Lead thermal trades involving heaters, coatings, radiators, MLI, and surface treatments. Own thermal vacuum (TVAC) planning, profiles, objectives, execution support, and post‑test correlation. Serve as the primary thermal interface to Systems, Mechanical, Payload, and Operations teams. Support on‑orbit thermal monitoring, anomaly investigation, and operational limit definition. Review and mentor junior engineers’ analyses to maintain model quality and consistency. Author and present thermal content for design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness activities. Your Ideal Skills and Experience BS or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field. 10–20 years of experience in spacecraft thermal design, analysis, and testing. Deep proficiency with Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT (or equivalent). Demonstrated ownership of system‑level thermal models and architecture decisions. Hands‑on experience with thermal vacuum testing, including thermal balance and correlation. Strong judgment in applying margins, simplifying models appropriately, and managing risk. Ability to operate independently in a fast‑paced, ambiguous startup environment. $186,000 - $205,000 a year Compensation and Benefits for Full‑Time Roles Health Insurance: 100% employee coverage & 75% dependent coverage. Parental leave and childcare coverage. Flexible vacation and sick time from day one. 12 company holidays. $100 monthly wellness benefit. Relocation package if not based in Denver. The final compensation package is subject to change if the candidate’s experience and company need drive a different job level than originally slated for the position. Additional Requirements: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired will be required to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. This role involves access to export‑controlled information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which restricts access to only U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled: Albedo is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Relocation: Relocation support for this position is available. Applicants must be a U.S. Person as defined under 22 CFR 120.62. #J-18808-Ljbffr