Senior Thermal Engineer at Space Kinetic Corp.

<div> <p><strong>A New Paradigm For Space Operations.&nbsp; </strong></p> </div> <div><strong>Who We Are:</strong></div> <div> <p>Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo,&nbsp; we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. &nbsp;Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.</p> <p>This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.</p> </div> <div><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong><br><span class="TextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">Space Kinetic is looking for&nbsp;</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">a <strong>Senior Thermal Engineer</strong></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">assist</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;with thermal analysis, hardware design</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">, hardware acquisition</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;and test within the simulation group of the&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">M</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">echanical&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">E</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">ngineering department. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8"> The candidate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;will ensure that</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">comp</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">o</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">nents</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;will&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">operate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;within safe temperature ranges despite the extreme thermal environment of space</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW154652723 BCX8">. The candidate will work on passive and active thermal control systems.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW154652723 BCX8"><span class="SCXW154652723 BCX8">&nbsp;</span></span></div> <div> <ul> <li>Design, analyze, and test thermal hardware, including MLI blankets, heaters, heat pipes, sensors, vents, radiators, and surface coatings.</li> <li>Partner with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal-control systems.</li> <li>Plan, execute, and document TVAC, thermal-cycling, interface, and material-characterization tests.</li> <li>Validate and verify thermal designs through analysis and testing.</li> <li>Map thermal loads and temperatures onto structural finite-element models.</li> <li>Create drawings, analysis reports, test plans, procedures, reports, presentations, and other technical documentation.</li> <li>Build and maintain thermal-material databases and comprehensive parts lists using BOMs, drawings, supplier data, and technical databases.</li> <li>Collaborate with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, and Integration and Test teams.</li> <li>Monitor component fabrication, integration, and testing through completion.</li> <li>Work independently, learn quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver accurate results in a fast-paced environment.</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong>What It Takes:</strong></div> <div> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field,</li> <li>5+ years of relevant space-industry experience&nbsp;designing spacecraft thermal systems from initial analysis through ground testing and on-orbit validation.</li> <li>Ability to develop and execute tests that validate hardware performance under extreme conditions.</li> <li>Hands-on experience with laboratory tools, spacecraft integration, and environmental testing.</li> <li>Proficiency with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, RadCAD, Siemens Space Systems Thermal, or similar tools.</li> <li>Understanding of orbital thermal environments and spacecraft heat-transfer principles.</li> <li>Experience designing or procuring MLI blankets and related thermal-control hardware.</li> <li>Ability to correlate thermal models with test data.</li> <li>Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD.</li> <li>Basic MATLAB or Python proficiency.</li> <li>Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.</li> <li>Must meet applicable U.S. Government export-control requirements.</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong>What We’d Love:</strong></div> <div> <ul> <li>Prior experience with spacecraft design</li> <li>Experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort</li> <li>Experience in a startup or agile development environment</li> <li>Passion for the commercial and government space industry.</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong>Where You’ll Be:</strong></div> <div> <ul> <li>The position will be on site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong>What We Offer:&nbsp;</strong></div> <div> <ul> <li>Equity-Based Compensation</li> <li>401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match</li> <li>Highly Competitive PTO</li> <li>Paid company holidays + winter break&nbsp;</li> <li>Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance</li> <li>Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong>ITAR Requirements:&nbsp;</strong><br>This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.&nbsp; Learn more about ITAR <a href="https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&amp;sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987">here</a></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>Equal Employment Opportunity:</strong><br>Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.</div><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity. &nbsp;</span></p></div><div class="title">Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$140,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$180,000 USD</span></div></div></div>