Thermal Engineer Seen this week

About Cowboy Space Corp

Cowboy Space Corp builds infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites in Low Earth Orbit collect sunlight and enable new capabilities: powering on-orbit compute, transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), and delivering secure high-bandwidth optical data.

The Role

As a Thermal Engineer you will design, analyze, implement and demonstrate thermal management solutions for our space-based power and compute platform. You will develop thermal control strategies for high-power laser systems, high-power compute platforms, spacecraft electronics, and structural components operating in extreme space environments. The ideal candidate has experience with spacecraft thermal design, analysis, testing, and on-orbit demonstration, ensuring reliable performance in Low Earth Orbit.

Responsibilities

• Develop spacecraft thermal management architectures, including active and passive cooling solutions for high-power and high-heat-flux components.
• Utilize thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS Thermal Desktop to predict system behavior in space conditions.
• Develop component- and system-level thermal models and identify optimum solutions considering size, weight and power.
• Develop, support and execute thermal cycle and thermal-vacuum tests to demonstrate flight-worthiness of components, subsystems and spacecraft.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and build and test engineers to ensure seamless integration of thermal management solutions.
• Identify space-grade thermal materials, coatings, and insulation for spacecraft structures.
• Conduct failure mode analysis and implement redundancy in thermal control systems.
• Work with optics, avionics, and propulsion teams to address thermal constraints in system design.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in thermal analysis and design of spacecraft thermal systems.
• Proficiency with thermal modeling software such as ANSYS Thermal Desktop.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer fundamentals.
• Experience designing, selecting and testing thermal hardware (e.g., radiators, heat pipes, thermal interface materials, and heaters).
• Demonstrated experience of spaceflight hardware qualification and acceptance testing of flight components, and the margins associated with those.
• Familiarity with vacuum chamber thermal testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing thermal systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles and/or high-power and heat-flux applications.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft thermal integration and flight testing.
• Experience with OpenTD and python scripting.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to solve complex thermal design challenges.

Compensation

• Salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off, 10 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Relocation assistance if applicable.
• Daily lunch in the office and fully stocked kitchen.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.