Thermal Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations. 

Who We Are:

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,  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.  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.

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.

What You’ll Do:
Space Kinetic is looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer to assist with thermal analysis, hardware design, hardware acquisition, and test within the simulation group of the Mechanical Engineering department.  The candidate will ensure that components will operate within safe temperature ranges despite the extreme thermal environment of space. The candidate will work on passive and active thermal control systems. 

• Design, analyze, and test thermal hardware, including MLI blankets, heaters, heat pipes, sensors, vents, radiators, and surface coatings.
• Partner with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal-control systems.
• Plan, execute, and document TVAC, thermal-cycling, interface, and material-characterization tests.
• Validate and verify thermal designs through analysis and testing.
• Map thermal loads and temperatures onto structural finite-element models.
• Create drawings, analysis reports, test plans, procedures, reports, presentations, and other technical documentation.
• Build and maintain thermal-material databases and comprehensive parts lists using BOMs, drawings, supplier data, and technical databases.
• Collaborate with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, and Integration and Test teams.
• Monitor component fabrication, integration, and testing through completion.