Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

About the role

Are you an experienced spacecraft thermal engineer? Do you enjoy solving challenging thermal problems as part of a multidisciplinary team? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking an experienced spacecraft thermal engineer to help us develop one-of-a-kind spacecraft, payloads, and thermal control systems. Depending on the size and scope of the effort, you may serve as a senior technical contributor on a large program or lead the thermal engineering effort for a smaller project. You will contribute to Civil Space missions such as Dragonfly, National Security Space missions, and proposals for future work in both domains. You will join a multidisciplinary team of engineers who conceive, develop, analyze, test, launch, and fly spacecraft systems.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas.

Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to spacecraft thermal control system design, analysis, and testing.
• Develop thermal models and conduct analyses using software such as Thermal Desktop.
• Support thermal testing, including generating test plans and specifications, analyzing test data, and performing model correlation.
• Assist with spacecraft integration, including procedure development, activity coordination, and installation oversight.
• Conduct and communicate thermal design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule, and present thermal engineering results at peer reviews, design reviews, and other major technical reviews.
• Mentor early-career thermal engineers.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft or instrument thermal engineering, including thermal design, analysis, and testing across multiple phases of the development lifecycle.
• Strong foundation in heat transfer theory and proficiency using Thermal Desktop.
• Proven experience independently leading thermal engineering tasks or small technical teams.
• Willing and able to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship (required for eligibility).

Skills

• MS or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with airflow modeling, including forced and natural convection, and advanced Thermal Desktop capabilities such as FloCAD or TD Direct.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program
• Unparalleled retirement contributions
• Healthy work/life balance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Flexible spending accounts
• Training and development

Pay

Minimum Rate $105,000 Annually; Maximum Rate $290,000 Annually