Thermal Engineer- Landers & Spacecraft

Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure to spacecraft navigation, machine vision, and computing systems for in-space robotic applications. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 NASA, DoD, and commercial technology contracts worth more than $600 million.

We recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon, Astrobotic developed and operates reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and continues to advance next-generation VTVL capabilities and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007, Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.

Astrobotic Technology wants you to design, develop, test, and integrate thermal solutions for Astrobotic's lunar lander product lines. You will be responsible for creating the thermal subsystem architecture, developing thermal models, analyzing the system, and ensuring the design meets program requirements. You will regularly report to the Thermal Systems Lead on progress.

Note: This position may be filled at multiple levels, including Engineer II, Senior, Principal, etc. depending on the candidate's experience.

Job Responsibilities:

• Design spacecraft thermal control systems (TCS) including component sizing, selection, and specification

• Build thermal models using design data and execute the analysis to determine thermal system performance

• Perform component and system trade studies through analysis and engineering tests

• Develop thermal test plans, conduct the testing, compare with model predictions, and document the results

• Support the integration team, including hands on assembly of TCS prototypes and flight hardware

• Provide real time mission operations support from the Astrobotic Mission Control Center

• Write and present technical reports

• Coordinate between technical partners, vendors, and other subsystem to assess design progress, schedule, and risks

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

• Experience designing or analyzing thermal control system components (heaters, sensors, radiators, thermal insulation, coatings, pumped cooling systems, etc.)

• Problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and execute the solution with minimal guidance or under strong guidance from team leaders

• Proven capability to take a concept from initial idea to final product

• Proven capability to develop conceptual thermal designs, perform trade studies, and down select to a design baseline

• Team-centered mindset, with a focus on collaborating with and supporting those around you

• Effective communication skills to strengthen cross-functional interactions and foster intra-team learning

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing needs and requirements

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

• 5+ years of experience with a thermal / fluid focus

• Experience developing thermal hardware and systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or aircraft

• Experience designing active thermal control systems including sizing and specifying pumps, valves, piping, instrumentation, tanks, and other similar elements.

• Proficient with Thermal Desktop

• Proficient with Sinda/FLUINT or other fluid flow system-level analysis software

• Experience with FEA (ANSYS preferred)

• Experience running and operating tests in a Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC)

• Experience in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and lifecycle management tools

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for this position will depend on numerous factors including individual performance, business objectives, and the candidates professional experience. Base salary is just one component of Astrobotic's competitive total rewards strategy.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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.

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to contact@astrobotic.com.