Thermal Engineer (mid)

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet. 

We are seeking a Thermal Engineer to play a key role in designing, analyzing, and optimizing spacecraft thermal systems. You will work cross-functionally to develop thermal solutions for avionics, electro-mechanical systems, and spacecraft structures while focusing on reducing the cost and complexity of traditional satellite thermal subsystems. This position requires expertise in thermal modeling, testing, and hardware integration to ensure mission success.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain spacecraft-level thermal models using Ansys Thermal Desktop and other analytical tools.
• Collaborate with subsystem engineers to design and optimize thermal control systems for avionics and electro-mechanical components.
• Evaluate the validity of thermal analysis results and ensure compliance with Mil-Standard, Aerospace TOR, and vendor requirements.
• Plan, execute, and manage thermal testing campaigns, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) and thermal cycling tests.
• Work with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal management hardware, including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, and coatings.
• Support thermal subsystem milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR).
• Perform thermal model correlation using flight and test data.
• Oversee thermal flight hardware integration and quality control.
• Utilize Siemens NX and Teamcenter for thermal design and integration.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience in radiative and conductive thermal modeling of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop or similar software.
• Strong understanding of thermal margin definitions and aerospace thermal control standards.
• Experience selecting, sizing, and designing thermal control hardware, including heat pipes, heaters, OSR, SSM, MLI, TEC, thermal paints, and tapes.
• 1+ year of experience with thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing, including setup, instrumentation, and model correlation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with full-vehicle thermal vacuum testing and thermal model correlation.
• Familiarity with 2-phase spacecraft thermal control systems.
• Knowledge of PCBA thermal modeling and thermal interface materials (thermal grease, gap pads, etc.).
• Experience with integrated spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, or Matlab for thermal modeling and automation.
• Understanding of SMC-S016 standards or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Atlassian software tools and engineering workflows.