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Senior Thermal Engineer

San Francisco

 

About Us:

Samara Aerospace is revolutionizing satellite design by addressing the challenges of deploying and managing large satellite constellations. Our innovative Hummingbird spacecraft bus offers a modular and scalable platform that streamlines satellite production and deployment, significantly reducing launch costs. Hummingbird's compact architecture maximizes launch capacity, making it the most efficient and agile spacecraft in the industry. At the core of our technology is the patented Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control (MSAC) system. Unlike traditional wheel-based pointing control systems, MSAC utilizes actuators embedded in the hinges of deployable solar panels to provide 3-axis attitude control and active jitter cancellation. This design eliminates the need for spinning wheels, reducing mass and potential points of failure, while enhancing pointing precision.

Role:

The Mechanical team at Samara is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and testing thermal solutions ranging from electronic chips to full satellite thermal tests at our headquarters in San Francisco. A strong problem-solving background, hands-on testing skills, and experience with spacecraft or printed circuit board thermal mitigation will be essential in this role. You’ll work closely with experienced mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure the Hummingbird satellite survives and thrives in the space environment.

Responsibilities: 

  • Develop thermal designs across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases using both passive and active thermal control approaches.
  • Conduct trade studies that balance thermal performance, mass, power, cost, risk, and schedule.
  • Perform thermal analyses ranging from first-order estimates to detailed models for a wide variety of hardware, including propulsion components, batteries, high-power electronics, RF systems, mechanisms, and PCBs.
  • Specify, design, source, and evaluate thermal hardware such as heaters, heat pipes, thermal interface materials, and surface finishes or coatings.
  • Define thermal integration and assembly processes to ensure design intent is maintained through build and test.
  • Support spacecraft and component-level integration, including hands-on assistance with thermal hardware installation when needed.
  • Plan, execute, and analyze thermal vacuum (TVAC) tests for components and full spacecraft.
  • Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and verification reports.
  • Support team growth by participating in recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding new engineers.
  • Participate in improving shop, test, and integration facilities and enhancing operational efficiency.

Qualifications: 

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 3 or more years of Professional experience with thermal analysis and thermally constrained hardware design.
  • Familiarity with mechanical CAD tools and working from 3D models and drawings.
  • Strong interest in hands-on hardware development and working in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
  • Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Preferred: 

  • Experience using Thermal Desktop, Space Systems Thermal or similar thermal modeling tools.
  • Background in electronics packaging and PCB design.
  • Experience building, operating, or testing hardware in high-vacuum environments.
  • Spacecraft, aerospace, or high-reliability hardware experience.

Salary and Benefits:

  • Pay range: $140,000-170,000 annually to start 
  • Early and competitive equity in a rapidly growing startup 
  • Platinum-level healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance covered 100% for you 
  • Partial dependent coverage available 
  • 401k matching at 4% (no vesting) 
  • Unlimited PTO and sick time 
  • 17 paid holidays (including a “winter break” Dec. 24-Jan. 1) 
  • Relocation assistance is available 

Work Authorization
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 
Samara Aerospace does not currently sponsor employment visas for this position.
Employment eligibility will be verified upon hire in accordance with federal law.

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