SpaceX
Thermal Engineer (Falcon, Dragon, & Starfall)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a Thermal Engineer to design and validate thermal systems for Falcon, Dragon, and Starfall vehicles. You'll own thermal architecture from concept through flight, translating analysis into real design decisions for materials, insulation, and thermal control systems while managing hardware across all mission phases.
What you'll do
- Design and validate thermal systems end-to-end from concept trades through CAD, build, and ground/flight testing
- Translate thermal analysis into engineering decisions on materials, coatings, insulation, and thermal control architecture
- Size thermal protection systems and design heater and coolant-loop systems for spacecraft and launch vehicles
- Automate thermal design workflows to improve engineering efficiency and reduce design cycle time
- Develop acceptance and qualification test requirements and resolve thermal issues in flight hardware
- Produce technical documentation and review peer thermal analyses
What they're looking for
- Thermal modeling and analysis (3D and reduced-order)
- Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench
- Python, MATLAB, or EES programming
- Thermal protection system (TPS) sizing and design
- Hardware design from concept through build and test validation
- FIAT or Sinda/Fluint thermal analysis tools
- Aerothermal fundamentals and CFD exposure
- Technical documentation and communication
Benefits
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
- 3 weeks paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays annually
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Paid parental leave and employee stock purchase plan
- Potential stock awards and discretionary bonuses
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe a thermal design project you took from concept through build and test—what were your key decisions and how did you validate them?
- How would you approach sizing a thermal protection system for a reentry vehicle, and what tools or methods would you use?