Thermal Engineer (Senior)

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet. 

• U.S. Persons status is required as this position requires access to export-controlled data.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in thermal engineering, preferably in spacecraft or aerospace systems.

• Proficiency with thermal analysis tools, especially Ansys Thermal Desktop.

• Strong understanding of spacecraft thermal control systems.

• Familiarity with thermal margin definitions per MIL-STD, Aerospace TOR, or vendor command media.

• Proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter.

• Experience with thermal vacuum testing, thermal test instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.

• Working knowledge of 2-phase thermal control systems.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Ability to critically assess thermal model results and correlate with test or flight data.

• Capable of managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.

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  Develop and maintain spacecraft-level thermal models using Ansys Thermal Desktop.

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  Evaluate and validate thermal analysis results to ensure accuracy and alignment with mission requirements.

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  Drive innovation by identifying ways to reduce cost and complexity of legacy thermal subsystems.

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  Plan and execute thermal subsystem milestone reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR).

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  Oversee thermal flight hardware integration and ensure quality control during build and test.

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  Design, plan, and execute thermal vacuum tests at both component and system levels.

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  Correlate test and flight data to thermal models to refine accuracy and performance predictions.

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  Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, systems, and avionics teams to meet thermal requirements across the spacecraft lifecycle.

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Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.