Senior Thermal Engineer

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.

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 comp o nents 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 thesystemincluding radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surfacecoatingsetc..
• Technical document creation, including drawings, analysis reports,test plans,test procedures, test reports, and presentations for reviews,anddocumentmanagement
• Design, plan, execute and documentTVAC and Thermal Cycling tests
• Developmental testing of thermal interface sand 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 tomonitorcomponentfabrication progress
• Interface with integration and test group tomonitorcomponentintegrationand 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

• 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, frominitialhigh-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital data
• Devise, build and run tests tovalidatethe performance of the hardware in extreme conditions
• Operate and use lab tools and equipment.
• Experience using space thermal analysis software similar toANSYS Thermal Desktop Sinda/Fluint/Rad Cad, Siemens Space Systems…