Thermal Engineer

Overview

Space Kinetic is a cleared, venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is assembling its TRL-5 prototype to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain and catalyzing the emerging space economy.

Space Kinetic is looking for a Thermal Engineer to assist with thermal analysis, hardware design and test within the simulation group of the mechanical engineering department. The candidate should excel at meeting deadlines, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and collaborating effectively with diverse engineering teams and clients to develop high-quality data products. Occasionally, the candidate may support tasks in a hardware development environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

• 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 spacecraft including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surface coating, etc.
• Technical document creation and management
• Database creation and maintenance
• Interfacing with Manufacturing and Production to monitor component fabrication progress
• Interfacing with integration and test group to monitor component integration
• Compilation of comprehensive parts lists using information from Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, online databases, and data from subcontractors and suppliers
• Spreadsheet organization and extraction

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 1–2 years of related experience. Advanced Degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) in similar disciplines are highly valued with correspondingly lower experience requirements.
• 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
• Produce quality documentation of your work to reduce miss-rate and improve efficiency
• Operate and use lab tools and equipment
• Proficiency with thermal simulation tools and Microsoft Suite, including Share Point
• Experience using space thermal analysis software similar to ANSYS Thermal Desktop Sinda/Fluint/Rad Cad, Siemens Space Systems Thermal or similar
• Experience designing MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardware
• Experience in spacecraft integration and testing
• Experience in CAD software (Solidworks, CREO, AutoCAD)
• Proficiency in understanding and extracting information from specifications (NAS, SAE, MS, etc.)
• MATLAB/Python basic knowledge
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule
• Self-driven, creative, and able to lead projects to completion
• General knowledge of mechanical assemblies and parts
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, or a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

• 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

• On site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA

• Competitive base salary + equity-based compensation
• Highly competitive PTO and holiday calendar
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health and wellness stipend

This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, or a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Space…