Hiring: Thermal Engineer Company: Approach Venture Location: Denver, CO Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 12:06:44 Employment Type: On-site Target Skills & Keywords : Aerospace Engineering, Assembly, AutoCAD, CAD, Python, Systems Design About the job Experience: •Thermal-vacuum and thermal-balance test planning, execution, and model correlation •Proficiency with Python for thermal analysis, automation, or data processing •Understanding of battery and electronics thermal limits •Operational familiarity with thermal design of spacecraft avionics and electronics •Operational familiarity with optical surface properties, coatings, and radiator materials Required Skills: •Own spacecraft thermal architecture from early requirements through qualification, flight, and on-orbit operation •Define thermal requirements, operating limits, margins, and verification strategies across spacecraft systems •Design, select, and size thermal-control hardware including radiators, MLI, heaters, thermostats, coatings, heat pipes, and conductive interfaces •Build and maintain detailed spacecraft thermal models •Perform steady-state and transient thermal analysis across mission phases •Evaluate orbital heating environments including solar loading, albedo, planetary infrared, and eclipse transitions •Size radiator area, heater power, and thermal-control hardware based on system requirements •Perform trade studies that balance thermal performance with power, mechanical, avionics, and mission constraints Qualifications: •Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline •5+ years of spacecraft, aerospace, or similarly demanding thermal engineering experience •In-depth knowledge of spacecraft thermal environments and heat-transfer fundamentals •Proficiency with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or comparable thermal modeling tools •Hands-on knowledge of thermal-control hardware and thermal interface materials •Demonstrated capacity to translate thermal analysis into practical hardware and system design decisions •Strong communication skills across mechanical, electrical, systems, avionics, and test disciplines •Demonstrated capacity to independently solve complex technical problems in a fast-moving development environment Compensation: •$125,000 - $165,000 / year •Equity participation through stock options Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!