Thermal Engineer III - Advanced Manufacturing

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. **Who We’re Looking For** We are seeking a Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and validation of thermal control solutions for our spacecraft platforms. In this high-impact role, you will own major aspects of spacecraft thermal design, analysis, and verification, working closely with a fast-moving team of engineers and scientists to shape the future of in-space systems. This role is for an experienced technical leader who thrives in a startup-paced environment, can take broad responsibility for thermal system performance, and can mentor junior engineers while also rolling up their sleeves for hands-on integration and testing. --- **Where You’ll Make an Impact** - Lead development of high-fidelity spacecraft thermal models for prediction of on-orbit performance - Own spacecraft-level thermal architecture, including active and passive thermal control design - Review, refine, and correlate as-built thermal models and vendor-supplied thermal documentation - Provide expert recommendations to mitigate thermal risks across spacecraft lifecycle phases - Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure spacecraft designs meet thermal requirements - Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, execution, correlation, and troubleshooting - Mentor and guide junior thermal engineers; establish best practices and processes for modeling, analysis, and documentation - Develop tools, workflows, and standards within the thermal ecosystem to improve efficiency and repeatability of future programs - Generate simplified models, thermal environments, and interface documentation for suppliers and customers - Review and approve component and assembly designs for thermal flight readiness - Produce engineering content and analyses for design reviews, test readiness reviews, and verification reports - Support integration, test, and launch-site operations as the subject-matter expert for spacecraft thermal performance --- **What It Takes** - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field - 7+ years of relevant thermal engineering experience (spacecraft strongly preferred) - Advanced proficiency in Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent thermal analysis tools - Experience with spacecraft flight hardware, integration, and thermal vacuum testing - Familiarity with NASA, commercial, and industry standards for spacecraft design - Demonstrated experience correlating thermal models with test data - Ability to lead technical efforts and operate with a high degree of autonomy --- **Nice-to-Have Experience** - Experience with spacecraft operations, thermal limits, and anomaly resolution - Knowledge of thermal coatings, adhesives, multilayer insulation (MLI), and related materials - Exposure to electrical component thermal modeling and PCB thermal behavior - Experience with heat pipes, loop heat pipes, radiators, and advanced thermal hardware - Understanding of orbital dynamics and thermal environments across varying mission profiles - Prior experience in a fast-paced startup or NewSpace environment --- **What you'll get** - Ownership – Lead spacecraft thermal architecture end-to-end, from modeling to flight readiness - Innovation – Develop advanced thermal solutions and shape next-gen modeling and test workflows - Impact – Ensure spacecraft survive and perform in space, directly influencing mission success - Growth – Expand your technical reach while mentoring engineers and collaborating across teams - Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing **Location**: Hawthorne, CA **Base Salary:** $140,000 - 200,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. --- **Additional Requirements** To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. --- **Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.**