Overview

Thermal EngineerEl Segundo, CaliforniaA 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 Thermal Engineer to assist with thermal analysis, hardware design, hardware acquisition, and test within the simulation group of the Mechanical Engineering department. They will ensure that components will operate within safe temperature ranges despite the extreme thermal environment of space. They will work on passive and active thermal control systems.Thermal hardware design, analysis and test (MLI blankets, heaters, venting, heat pipes, sensors, etc)Work with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the system including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surface coatings etc Technical document creation, including drawings, analysis reports, test plans, test procedures, test reports, and presentations for reviews, and document managementDesign, plan, execute and document TVAC and Thermal Cycling testsDevelopmental testing of thermal interfaces and material characterizationMaterials database creation and maintenanceWork closely with Structures, Electrical, GNC, Propulsion, and System Engineering functional teamsMap temperatures on structural finite element modelsInterface with Manufacturing and Production to monitor component fabrication progressInterface with integration and test group to monitor component integration and testingCompilation of comprehensive parts lists using information from Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, online databases, and data from subcontractors and suppliersDesign validation and verification (V&V) through analysis and testWhat It Takes:Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 1-2 years of related experience. Advanced Degrees (Master's or Ph.D.) in similar disciplines are highly valued with correspondingly lower experience requirements.Thermal design of satellite components, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital dataDevise, build and run tests to validate the performance of the hardware in extreme conditionsOperate and use lab tools and equipment.Experience using space thermal analysis software similar to ANSYS Thermal Desktop Sinda/Fluint/RadCad, Siemens Space Systems Thermal or similarUnderstanding orbital thermal environmentsExperience designing and acquiring MLI blankets or similar spacecraft hardwareExperience in spacecraft integration and testingExperience in CAD software (Solidworks, CREO, AutoCAD)MATLAB/Python basic knowledgeCorrelating thermal models with test dataAbility to obtain and maintain a Government Security ClearanceAbility to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analy