Senior Thermal Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN

. Lead thermal design and analysis for satellite-based, high-power payloads and associated power electronics .

Posted 9/22/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $144,179 - $219,522 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in thermal design and analysis for aerospace systems, utilizing advanced thermal modeling tools and methodologies. Capable of leading multidisciplinary teams while ensuring compliance with environmental standards and mission reliability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Thermal Design and AnalysisThermal Modeling ToolsSpaceborne Thermal DesignThermal Interface TechnologiesCommunication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Thermal DesignThermal AnalysisThermal ModelingThermal DesktopSINDA/FLUINTANSYS IcepakThermal QualificationThermal Architecture DevelopmentTransient and Steady-State AnalysisThermal Cycling Fatigue

Soft Skills

Exceptional CommunicationMentoringCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Thermal DesktopSINDA/FLUINTANSYS IcepakCOTS Thermal ComponentsAutomated Thermal Modeling Workflows

Certifications & Qualifications

TS//SCI Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

Aerospace EngineeringHigh-Power PayloadsSpace SystemsEnvironmental StandardsFlight Hardware Qualification

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

TypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead thermal design and analysis for satellite-based, high-power payloads and associated power electronics
Develop detailed thermal models using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent, covering conduction, radiation, and convection regimes
Define and manage thermal interfaces across payload subsystems, including radiators, heat pipes, loop heat pipes, cold plates, and structural elements
Perform transient and steady-state thermal analyses under mission profiles, including peak duty cycles, eclipse transitions, and worst-case environmental conditions
Develop thermal architecture for common bus/payload configurations across production blocks, tailoring for orbit plane, beta angle range, and payload variant
Select and defend thermal qualification, margin, and acceptance approaches based on build rate, mission class, and design life
Define thermal model correlation strategies under limited test data and extend correlated models across production blocks
Address LEO thermal cycling fatigue over high cycle counts on joints, solder, TIMs, and coatings
Drive design-for-manufacturability of thermal hardware at production rate using parametric or automated thermal modeling workflows
Evaluate COTS or commercial-grade thermal components where mission class permits
Manage heater power budgets as fleet-level EPS drivers, trading heater sizing against battery and array mass
Support design-for-demise and material selection for disposal casualty risk under ODMSP
Assess manufacturability, cost, and schedule impacts of thermal hardware choices for production at scale
Support thermal design and analysis across multiple constellation and payload programs
Collaborate with payload, mechanical, power, and systems engineering teams to integrate thermal constraints into layout and packaging
Establish thermal requirements, margins, and verification plans aligned with mission reliability and lifetime goals
Drive thermal design trades balancing performance, mass, power consumption, manufacturability, and cost
Contribute to major technical design reviews and serve as a key technical authority for the thermal system
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to organizational best practices in thermal engineering

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field
7+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace systems and/or high-performance electronics
Demonstrated experience with spaceborne thermal design, including vacuum environments, radiation heat transfer, and flight hardware qualification
Experience with thermal modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS Icepak, or equivalent
Knowledge of materials, coatings, and thermal interface technologies suitable for space systems
Familiarity with environmental standards such as NASA, ESA, and MIL-STD and qualification testing
Exceptional communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and guide multidisciplinary teams
Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a TS//SCI security clearance
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
Preferred: Master's or PhD degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field
Preferred: Active TS//SCI clearance
Preferred: Experience supporting capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities
Preferred: Background in space-based antenna systems or similar high-power payload systems
Preferred: Experience with thermal management of high-power-density electronics such as T/R modules, phased array apertures, or laser communication terminals
Preferred: Experience with advanced cooling techniques, including loop heat pipes, vapor chambers, and liquid cooling systems
Preferred: Experience on a proliferated LEO or other high-rate satellite program
Preferred: Experience with thermal cycling / ESS / HALT-HASS-style screening, including safety-of-screen or damage accumulation analysis

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance is available for candidates relocating to one of the primary Blue Origin office locations
Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock Options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week
Up to four weeks of Paid Time Off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Depending on role type and job level, eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and company results