← All roles

Principal Thermal Design Engineer

K2 Space· Thermal
Apply on company site
Los Angeles, CA$175k - $295kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Core driver of detailed thermal design of spacecraft subsystems, performing thermal analysis at component and spacecraft levels, exploring thermal management strategies, and validating them through test campaigns for high-power satellites.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with Mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the spacecraft including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, and surface coating
  • Partner with Avionics teams to develop thermal models and thermal tests for electronic assemblies
  • Work with the GNC teams to define and thermally analyze nominal and contingency cases for in-orbit operations of the spacecraft
  • Develop and maintain thermal models for spacecraft and sub-components using Thermal Desktop and Ansys
  • Interface with vendors and launcher providers to understand their design and translate it into thermal-related requirements
  • Automate data analysis to support architectural trades effectively
  • Set up and execute thermal testing ranging from development to qualification

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience with satellite thermal design and analysis
  • Demonstrated experience with radiative and conductive thermal modeling of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop
  • Experience with selection, sizing, and design of thermal control hardware including heat pipes, heaters, stickers, OSR, thermal straps, thermal paints, tapes, MLI, TEC
  • Experience with thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing including predictions, setup, instrumentation and thermal model correlation

Skills

Required:Thermal modelingThermal hardware designThermal cycling and TVAC testing

Benefits

  • Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $295,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
Last updated Aug 26, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About K2 Space

Build Bigger

Building the largest satellites in orbit. Ultra-powerful, scalable platforms engineered for LEO–cislunar missions. Explore the next-generation of satellites.

SatellitesSpacecraftLEOMEOGEOSatellite Power
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at K2 Space