Thermal Engineer

The role

This is a full-time, on-site role for an experienced Thermal Engineer in Thermal Protection Systems. The Thermal Engineer will work in a hands-on, collaborative environment, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for space and aerospace thermal applications. This role spans the entire product lifecycle, from concept generation and comprehensive thermal modeling to hardware fabrication, verification testing, and final production. The candidate will collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary engineering teams, production staff, and customers to ensure thermal protection hardware, including active/passive designs and soft goods, meets stringent performance, safety, and environmental requirements.

What you will do

Actively participate in the design, fabrication, and assembly of thermal protection hardware, including but not limited to cutting and sewing materials used for space and aerospace applications.
Perform comprehensive thermal modeling and analysis of flight subsystems and systems, including related thermal hardware, while collaborating closely with customer subject matter experts.
Develop thermal models of active and passive thermal designs using a mixture of numerical solutions and hand calculations of spacecraft systems, subsystems, avionics, and mechanisms that predict temperature margins in a variety of thermal space environments.
Develop thermal verification test plans, procedures, and support test activities, monitor and correlate test results to model predictions.
Participate in thermal hardware testing campaigns and qualifications including periods of off-hours or on-call work.
Work closely with other subject matter experts to define requirements, iterate through design concepts, and demonstrate overall system performance.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to reduce thermal risk by identifying the constraining elements of a thermal design and recommend mitigation strategies from the concept level to design, production, and operation.
Conduct thermo-mechanical design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
Document analyses and designs including inputs, methods, and results as needed for presentation at design and test reviews and for hardware implementation.
Prepare technical documents and presentations to present the results of analysis and tests to Managers, Customers, and/or Stakeholders.
Interface with Program, Engineering, and Customer teams on thermal design, performance, and test issues and support other teams/disciplines, as necessary.
Develop tools to support concept trade studies and post-processing analysis.
Support Business Development activities, including proposals, white papers, and requests for information.
Effective communication with Production, Machining, Maintenance, and Quality departments to ensure timely delivery.
Capability to improve KPIs: safety, quality, on-time delivery, and efficiency.
Collaboration skills with Engineering and Contracts personnel on hiring, performance reviews, and promotions.
Ability to participate in recruitment efforts and support 5-S, health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
Competence in performing cross-functional operations and maintaining a clean work area.

What you need

Required Qualifications

Minimum of two-four+ years of direct experience working on aerospace and space sectors as thermal subject matter expert.
Strong knowledge and hands-on experience of thermal design management, surface optical treatments, cut and sow thermal protection systems including but not limited to insulation material (MLI), and composite and additive manufactured ceramic heat shields used in aerospace and space applications.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or other related field from an accredited organization.
Proficiency with Thermal Desktop or other similar tools accepted in the industry is necessary.
Experience developing detailed thermal and simplified thermal models for spacecraft and rocket systems, subsystems, and components including associated thermal hardware (active and passive).
Experience with process development, as pertains to thermal analysis methods, testing methods, or model correlation.
Knowledge of environmental requirements, engineering, thermal vacuum/ambient pressure testing, including use of data acquisition systems.
Must possess an understanding of the basic principles of radiation and conduction and convection heat transfer in conjunction with space environment heating effects and parameters associated with spaceflight applications.
Deep understanding of orbital mechanics and thermal design considerations with respect to launch environment, MEO, LEO, GEO, and other orbits.
Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar
Proficiency with computational scripting languages (MATLAB, Python, Mathematica, etc.).
Meticulous and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a powerful desire to be a leader/key contributor on a small team.
Highly responsible collaborator with a cheerful outlook and excellent communication and documentation skills.
Solid foundation and familiarity with applicable industry standards and literature including but not limited to SMS-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000 and Space Mission analysis and Desing (SMAD).
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD US Government Secret security clearance.

Additional Requirements

Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lb and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.
Occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.
Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English.

Job Details FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt)

Type: Full Time

Business Hours: 8 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday with additional hours or weekends as needed based on business demands

Location: Irvine, CA

Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000 annually

Thermal Engineer

The role

Thermal Engineer

The role

What you will do

What you need

Required Qualifications

Additional Requirements

Nice to have

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Travel: Up to 10%

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