Thermal Engineer III - Spacecraft Programs
Quantum Space
| Company | Quantum Space |
| Category | Engineering |
| Location | Rockville |
| Remote | On-site (inferred) |
| Employment | Not stated |
| Level | Not stated |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| Posted | 1 May 2026 |
| Last verified | 30 Jul 2026 |
| Source | Employer career page (greenhouse) |
Description
Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and validation of thermal control solutions for our spacecraft platforms. In this high-impact role, you will own major aspects of spacecraft thermal design, analysis, and verification, working closely with a fast-moving team of engineers and scientists to shape the future of in-space systems.
This role is for an experienced technical leader who thrives in a startup-paced environment, can take broad responsibility for thermal system performance, and can mentor junior engineers while also rolling up their sleeves for hands-on integration and testing.
Where You’ll Make an Impact
Lead development of high-fidelity spacecraft thermal models for prediction of on-orbit performance
Own spacecraft-level thermal architecture, including active and passive thermal control design
Review, refine, and correlate as-built thermal models and vendor-supplied thermal documentation
Provide expert recommendations to mitigate thermal risks across spacecraft lifecycle phases
Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure spacecraft designs meet thermal requirements
Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, execution, correlation, and troubleshooting
Mentor and guide junior thermal engineers; establish best practices and processes for modeling, analysis, and documentation
Develop tools, workflows, and standards within the thermal ecosystem to improve efficiency and repeatability of future programs
Generate simplified models, thermal environments, and interface documentation for suppliers and customers
Review and approve component and assembly designs for thermal flight readiness
Produce engineering content and analyses for design reviews, test readiness reviews, and verification reports
Support integration, test, and launch-site operations as the subject-matter expert for spacecraft thermal performance
What It Takes
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
7+ years of relevant thermal engineering experience (spacecraft strongly preferred)
Advanced proficiency in Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent thermal analysis tools
Experience with spacecraft flight hardware, integration, and thermal vacuum testing
Familiarity with NASA, commercial, and industry standards for spacecraft design
Demonstrated experience correlating thermal models with test data
Ability to lead technical efforts and operate with a high degree of autonomy
Nice-to-Have Experience
Experience with spacecraft operations, thermal limits, and anomaly resolution
Knowledge of thermal coatings, adhesives, multilayer insulation (MLI), and related materials
Exposure to electrical component thermal modeling and PCB thermal behavior
Experience with heat pipes, loop heat pipes, radiators, and advanced thermal hardware
Understanding of orbital dynamics and thermal environments across varying mission profiles
Prior experience in a fast-paced startup or NewSpace environment
What You'll Get
Ownership – Lead spacecraft thermal architecture end-to-end, from modeling to flight readiness.
Innovation – Develop advanced thermal solutions and shape next-gen modeling and test workflows.
Impact – Ensure spacecraft survive and perform in space, directly influencing mission success.
Growth – Expand your technical reach while mentoring engineers and collaborating across teams.
Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity
You found the opening. Now track it.Tracker, radar and AI drafts in one place.erioun.com →