Senior Thermal Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Senior Thermal Engineer (Aerospace): Lead thermal design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft systems and components with an accent on developing thermal models, defining control strategies, and ensuring mission compliance. Focus on supporting environmental qualification testing, proposal development, technical reviews, and mentoring junior engineers.

Location: London, City of (Hybrid)

Company

Space company founded in 2018 specializing in in-orbit servicing and space debris removal, operating across UK and Europe with world-leading partners.

What you will do

• Lead thermal design and analysis for spacecraft subsystems and components.
• Develop and validate thermal models using ESATAN-TMS.
• Define thermal control strategies including MLI, heat pipes, radiators, and heaters.
• Support thermal testing from component-level to full spacecraft assembly and TVAC qualification.
• Contribute to proposal development, PDR, CDR, TRR, and compliance with requirements.
• Collaborate with avionics, mechanical, propulsion, and systems teams; mentor juniors and maintain documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related.
• Minimum 10 years in thermal engineering within space industry.
• Proficiency in ESATAN-TMS and thermal analysis software.
• Strong knowledge of space thermal environments, heat transfer, testing, instrumentation.
• Experience with thermal coatings, materials, flight hardware development and qualification.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, documentation; team and independent work.

Nice to have

• Other thermal analysis tools.
• CubeSats or small satellites.
• International space agencies.
• ECSS standards.
• Creative problem-solving.