Thermal Engineer

Job Description: 

Atomos Space is developing and operating Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) to perform in-space mobility to satellites, including orbit raising, precision insertion, phasing, relocation and plane change services. We’re not only striving to enable more commercial companies to operate in space dynamically and sustainably: we’re realizing next-generation electric propulsion, from high power solar today, to space nuclear systems tomorrow. Atomos is funded by private investors, as well as commercial and government contracts.

As part of a passionate team, you will conduct detailed thermal analysis to define the performance and operations for the spaceflight systems, define hardware requirements, system sizing and resolve technical challenges. You will take ownership of thermal system analysis by conducting 1D-3D thermal analysis and contribute to our product life cycle process from early conceptual design through completion of the flight mission for Atomos’ future OTVs. You will be responsible for documentation and maintenance of analysis inputs, models, and presenting results to stakeholders. Missions under development for these vehicles range from servicing >$500m satellites for government and commercial customers, to high dV missions beyond the moon.

Responsibilities: 

• Own thermal system analysis and management of all aspects of the vehicle to maximize performance while staying robust.
• Define system requirements and work with component engineering, mechanical, and other teams to maximize performance, operational simplicity, packaging efficiency and cost.
• Automate workflows to reduce engineering investment in per-mission analysis.
• Pursue operational simplicity and seek to reduce burden on other groups.
• Define, develop and conduct “test like you fly” qualification testing.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineer, or engineering equivalent with at least 4 years of industry experience (advanced degree a plus).
• Strong understanding of thermal and fluid mechanics with relevant experience preferably in aerospace industry
• Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop
• Experience with radiators, MLI, heat pipes and other thermal management systems.
• Have experience in leading major technical trades like space vehicle architecture design, P&ID creation, major vehicle trade studies.
• Expertise in developing, producing, and supporting drawing packages for external manufacturing vendors.
• Knowledge of engineering tools such as computer-aided-design, finite-element-analysis, and drawing tools.
• Experience in developing resource budgets and estimating personnel, dollar, and time costs of development efforts.
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule.
• US person*

Desired Experience: 

• Demonstrated experience developing space-qualified thermal designs from conception to flight program.
• Experience in development of new hardware in a schedule-constrained environment.
• Experience in leading spacecraft-level test campaigns for dynamics and acoustic tests.
• Strong prototype development experience and ethos for fielding designs quickly in feasibility assessments.
• Demonstrated experience in managing vendors and subcontractors in schedule-driven projects.
• Experience developing mass-efficient systems for propulsive vehicle operations.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers both in technical efforts and career-development.
• Knowledge of AFSPCMAN 91-710, RPUG, ASME, API and other applicable governing documentation.

Start date: Immediate. 

Job Type: Full-time / Hybrid 

Benefits: 

• 401(k) 
• 401(k) matching 
• Dental insurance 
• Flexible schedule 
• Health insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Paid time off 
• Parental leave 
• Vision insurance 

*NOTE: This position is subject to Export Control Laws (U.S. State Department regulations at 22 C.F.R. Subchapter M and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Export Administration Regulations found in 15 C.F.R. Part 730). If you are not (a) a citizen of the United States; (b) a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (c) a person admitted into the United States as an asylee or refugee and wish to be considered for a position not subject to Export Control Law please contact Atomos Space.