We're designing a high-power satellite bus that accommodates multiple payload types — including a compute-intensive Nvidia payload with significant thermal dissipation. The thermal architecture is a first-order design decision for this bus, not an afterthought. You'll own thermal analysis and design from system architecture through flight delivery, starting during the architecture trade studies.

The thermal challenges span the full range: multiple payload configurations with different thermal profiles, high-power-density electronics with demanding heat rejection requirements, and a production-rate design that must be repeatable across hundreds of spacecraft. You'll start as the sole thermal engineer and build a team as the program scales.

Define the thermal control architecture — trade passive, heat pipe, and pumped fluid loop approaches, radiator sizing and placement

Perform system-level and component-level thermal analysis for the satellite bus across all payload configurations

Address the high-power thermal challenge — Nvidia compute module drives heat rejection requirements that may force the architecture

Contribute first-order thermal models to the spacecraft design, simulation, and digital twin tool for fast design iteration, then validate using traditional analysis tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop)

Develop and maintain the detailed system thermal model

Own the thermal budget — min/max temperatures per component vs qualification limits, across all orbital conditions

Select thermal coatings and materials (AZ-93, S13G, Kapton, Aeroglaze, etc.)

Specify and procure emissivity control materials and RTDs (temperature sensors)

Plan TVAC test campaigns — define chamber requirements, test profiles, success criteria (feeds facility planning)

Correlate thermal models to test data after environmental testing

Senior Thermal Engineer

Responsibilities

Qualification

Required

Preferred

Benefits

Company

Vast

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