Thermal Engineer

Job Title: Thermal Engineer

Job Description

The Thermal Engineer is responsible for performing thermal and thermo-structural analysis to ensure spacecraft hardware meets qualification requirements and maintains acceptable structural margins throughout mission environments. This role evaluates thermal environments, gradients, and interactions that impact structural performance as the program approaches Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The Thermal Engineer works closely with structures, mechanical design, systems engineering, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), manufacturing, and test teams to ensure thermal assumptions and margins are properly modeled, communicated, and defended.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal and thermo-elastic stress analysis of spacecraft and mission-critical hardware.
• Evaluate worst-hot and worst-cold cases and define appropriate thermal margins.
• Integrate thermal results into structural finite element models.
• Support qualification readiness through analysis, documentation, and test correlation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve thermal-structural risks and design tradeoffs.
• Support PDR by defending thermal assumptions, margins, and risk posture.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in thermal engineering and thermal design.
• 5 years of experience in thermal and/or thermo-structural analysis for aerospace or space systems.
• Ability to explain prior thermo-structural analyses and how thermal environments drive stress and distortion.
• Demonstrated understanding of thermal margins and worst-case scenario development.
• Experience supporting qualification readiness or thermal risk assessments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting spaceflight qualification activities preferred.
• Proficiency using thermal modeling tools and FEM pre/post processing.
• Strong analytical and communication skills in cross-disciplinary environments.
• Familiarity with orbital environments, thermal qualification, and mission-driven constraints.

Work Environment

This position requires onsite work. The work environment involves collaboration with a variety of engineering teams and participation in design reviews, including PDR. The role demands a strong understanding of thermal and structural modeling tools, and the ability to work in a space program setting with orbital and mission-specific constraints.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D
• Short and long-term disability
• HSA & DCFSA
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Paid Time off or State Sick Leave

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Boulder, CO.

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $90.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Boulder,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 8, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $80 - $90