Thermal Control System; TCS) Design Engineer Los Angeles, CA

Thermal Control System (TCS) Design Engineer

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we’re mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

You will own the success of developing,implementing and testingbothR&D and production thermal control systemson the spacecraft.

You willbe responsible for spearheading the design andverificationefforts of activeand passive thermal control systems including,but not limited to,pumpfluidloops,heat pipesandall oftherequiredground supporting equipment (test fixtures,diagnostic equipment,instrumentation, software tools etc.).Y our work will require familiarity with pressurized systems (valves, pumps, accumulators, heat exchangers), thermo-mechanical instrumentation(temperature sensors,pressure sensors, flow metersetc.),integrated electronics systems,and secondary satellite structures.

You will partner with design engineers early on in the process to ensure manufacturabilitywhilebuildingthe first prototype, design the build flow, andfinalizethe process for transition to production.

• Work withlead engineerstodesign active and passive thermal control systems using basic heat transfer and mechanical equations tosize lines, pumps, accumulators, cold platesetc.
• Planning and development of thermal cycle and thermal-vacuum testing campaigns
• Design and develop ment of heaterand cooling systems including control architecture
• Setup, commission, andmaintainstate-of-the-arttest standsand instrumentation
• Develop data acquisition systems for active and passive thermal control systems
• Perform tests on novelpump fluid l oopincludingfeedsystems, power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop
• Develop testing and control scripts to conduct safe and reliable test campaigns ofpump fluid loopandindividualcomponents
• Create formal documentation for development and production: test procedures, test reports,and standard operating procedures
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical test setups and hardware
• Document, compile, analyze, and present test data

• 3+ years of experience with thermal test experience in ahigh-ratemanufacturingenvironment
• 2+ years of experience with sizing and testing fluid systems including pumps, valves, accumulators, heat exchanger, cold plates etc.
• Demonstratedexperiencewith data acquisition for thermal and power related applications
• Experience with test plandevelopmentand execution
• Strong experience with thermal and TVAC testing including setup,instrumentation,and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated knowledge of NX or AutoCAD is preferred to design test fixtures

• Experie nce with basic and…