Senior Thermal Engineer @ Astranis

Astranis is on a mission to bridge the digital divide by connecting the four billion people worldwide who currently lack internet access. We’re doing this by building the next generation of smaller, more cost-effective spacecraft to bring the world online.

As a team, we’ve launched two satellites into orbit, signed ten commercial deals worth over $1 billion in revenue, raised over $500 million from top global investors, and recruited a team of over 300 world-class engineers. We all work out of our (legendary) San Francisco office, which was once used to build ships during the World Wars.

Our satellites, which operate from geostationary orbit (GEO), weigh only 400 kg and utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload. Each satellite can connect over two million people, and we’re very excited for the impact we’ll soon have in the Philippines, Peru, Mexico, and more!

Backed by substantial funding and a passionate, collaborative team, we offer a rewarding work environment where you’ll learn and make a significant impact, no matter where you are in your career.

Apply and join us on our journey towards global connectivity!

As an Astranis Senior Thermal Engineer, you will design, evaluate and test thermal solutions ranging from electronic chips to full spacecraft thermal vacuum tests. You must have a strong problem-solving background as well as hands-on testing skills. Experience with spacecraft or printed circuit board thermal mitigation are benefits but not required.

Role

Identify feasible thermal architectures and mature designs through conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases using practical passive and active thermal control techniques.
Take charge of design trades that successfully balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
Perform thermal analysis to varying degrees of fidelity (simplified to detailed) on a variety of different types of hardware such as propulsion components, batteries, high powered electronics, RF components, mechanisms, and printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Design, evaluate, procure and test thermal solutions such as heaters, heat pipes, thermal interface materials, and surface coatings.
Develop processes and procedures for integration and assembly which ensure thermal design intent is met. Collaborate with the integration and test team in the installation of thermal hardware as needed.
Plan and run thermal vacuum testing and verification at the component and spacecraft level.
Mentor and support junior engineers.
Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or physics
8+ years of experience in a thermal/mechanical role
Experience in thermal analysis and thermally-constrained design; computational thermal design experience (finite methods) is not required but highly preferred
Proficiency with mechanical CAD
A passion and enthusiasm for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development
Don’t meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

Bonus

Experience with Thermal Desktop
Experience with ANSYS Mechanical or ANSYS IcePak
Experience with Electronics Packaging and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design
Experience building and operating high vacuum systems
Experience designing for a vacuum environment or environments with large temperature swings

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity, robust benefits, and bonuses.

What we offer:

Base pay is a single component of Astranis’s total rewards package, which may also include equity in the form of incentive stock options, performance bonuses, high quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance benefits, flexible PTO, 401(K) retirement, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary

$145,000—$180,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

Compensation Overview

Role

Requirements

Bonus

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

Benefits