Thermal Design Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p data-renderer-start-pos="41">K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.</p>

<p data-renderer-start-pos="570">The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.</p>

<p data-renderer-start-pos="994">With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.</p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">The Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<p><span data-contrast="auto">As a Thermal Design Engineer you will be a core driver of the detailed thermal design of spacecraft subsystems by running thermal analysis at both the component and spacecraft level. You will also be involved in exploring different thermal management strategies and demonstrating them through test campaigns. Our ideal candidate has experience with in-orbit integrated thermal analysis of spacecraft components using both first principles as well analytical models using software tools (such as Thermal Desktop, Ansys IcePak, and Python for automation purposes). Hands-on experience with thermal testing for spacecraft components such as thermal cycling and TVAC is highly preferred. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Develop and maintain thermal models for spacecraft and sub-components using Thermal Desktop and Ansys</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Set up and execute thermal testing ranging from development to qualification</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work with experienced thermal engineers to learn common modeling practices and support weekly tasks that address business needs</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work with other engineering subsystems owners to develop robust thermal design for avionics boxes and other electro-mechanical subsystems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with avionics teams to develop thermal models and thermal tests for electronic assemblies</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work with mechanical teams to develop passive and active thermal control hardware for the spacecraft including radiators, heaters, heat pipes, surface coating etc..</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559685":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">3+ years of experience with radiative and conductive thermal modeling of spacecraft systems using Thermal Desktop or similar tools</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">3+ years of experience with selection, sizing, and design of thermal control hardware including, but not limited to, heat pipes, heaters, SSM, OSR, thermal straps, thermal paints, tapes, MLI, TEC, etc.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>

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<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Arial" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","46977