What are the responsibilities and job description for the Thermal Engineer position at InnoForge?
Senior Thermal Systems Engineer
El Segundo, CA | Onsite
I’m supporting an early-stage space company in El Segundo with the hire of a Senior Thermal Systems Engineer to join its growing mechanical engineering organisation.
The role covers the full thermal lifecycle, from analysis and hardware selection through environmental testing, model correlation and spacecraft integration.
What you’ll be working on:
- Passive and active spacecraft thermal-control systems
- Thermal analysis and modelling
- MLI, heaters, heat pipes, radiators, sensors and thermal coatings
- TVAC and thermal-cycle test planning and execution
- Thermal interface and material-characterisation testing
- Correlating thermal models against test results
- Mapping thermal loads and temperatures into structural models
- Supporting hardware fabrication, integration and qualification
- Working closely with mechanical, structures, electrical, GNC, systems, manufacturing and test teams
What they’re looking for:
- 4 years of relevant space thermal engineering experience
- Experience developing spacecraft thermal systems from analysis through test
- Strong understanding of orbital thermal environments and heat transfer
- Experience with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, RadCAD, Siemens thermal tools or equivalent
- Experience with spacecraft integration and environmental testing
- Familiarity with MLI and other spacecraft thermal-control hardware
- Some CAD plus MATLAB or Python knowledge
Previous satellite, spacecraft or launch vehicle development experience would be particularly relevant. The position also requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Important: ITAR / Export Control
This role works with U.S. export-controlled space technology and is subject to ITAR requirements. Candidates must meet the applicable export-control criteria, including U.S. citizens/nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees/asylees, or those otherwise eligible for the required U.S. Department of State authorisation.
If you’re a thermal engineer who wants to stay close to both the analysis and the actual hardware, get in touch.