Senior Thermal Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a 'one-to-many' system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You'll Do:
Space Kinetic is looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer to assist with thermal analysis, hardware design, hardware acquisition, and test within the simulation group of the Mechanical Engineering department.  The candidate will ensure that components will operate within safe temperature ranges despite the extreme thermal environment of space. The candidate will work on passive and active thermal control systems.

• Thermal hardware design, analysis and test (MLI blankets, heaters, venting, heat pipes, sensors, etc…) 
• Work with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the system including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surface coatings etc.. 
• Technical document creation, including drawings, analysis reports, test plans, test procedures, test reports, and presentations for reviews, and document management 
• Design, plan, execute and document TVAC and Thermal Cycling tests 
• Developmental testing of thermal interfaces and material characterization 
• Materials database creation and maintenance 
• Work closely with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, and System Engineering functional teams 
• Map temperatures on structural finite element models 
• Interface with Manufacturing and Production to monitor component fabrication progress 
• Interface with integration and test group to monitor component integration and testing 
• Compilation of comprehensive parts lists using information from Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, online databases, and data from subcontractors and suppliers 
• Design validation and verification (V&V) through analysis and test
• Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail-oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow-through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to criticism and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 4+ years of related space experience. Advanced Degrees (Master's or Ph.D.) in similar disciplines.
• Thermal design of satellite components, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital data 
• Devise, build and run tests to validate the performance of the hardware in extreme conditions 
• Operate and use lab tools and equipment. 
• Experience using space thermal analysis software similar to ANSYS Thermal Desktop Sinda/Fluint/RadCad, Siemens Space Systems Thermal or similar 
• Basic understanding orbital thermal environments 
• Experience designing and acquiring MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardware 
• Experience in spacecraft integration and testing 
• Experience in CAD software (Solidworks, CREO, AutoCAD) 
• MATLAB/Python basic knowledge 
• Correlating thermal models with test data 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance. 
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder).

What We'd Love:

• Prior experience with spacecraft design
• Experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment
• Passion for the commercial and government space industry.

Where You'll Be:

• The position will be on site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

What We Offer: 

• Competitive Base Salary + Equity-Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

ITAR Requirements: 
This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.  

Pay Range

$102,000—$130,000 USD