Thermal Engineer Space Hardware

$140,000 - $180,000/Yr

Anduril Industries - Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Costa Mesa, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

As a Thermal Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will play a crucial role in the development of space hardware by owning the thermal design, analysis, testing, and vendor management associated with our space hardware development programs. Your work will be grounded in first principles, allowing you to make informed decisions about the level of analysis required for each project. You will execute hand calculations, utilize spreadsheets, and develop first-order models in MATLAB or Python to guide the design process before delving into detailed design work. You will be responsible for defining robust thermal architectures that can withstand the harsh environments of space, identifying and quantifying edge cases such as extreme hot and cold conditions that could impact system performance. Your ability to communicate the pros and cons of various system architectures with respect to thermal considerations will be essential, as you will present thermal status updates during formal reviews both internally and with customers, ensuring clarity on timelines and technical progress. In addition to your design responsibilities, you will develop internal tools aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of thermal analysis. You will also create a comprehensive database of materials, thermal properties, and vendors of thermal hardware suitable for space applications. Supporting failure reviews and conducting root-cause analysis using test data and thermal analysis will be part of your role, ensuring that all thermal aspects are thoroughly evaluated and addressed.

Responsibilities

• Own the thermal design, analysis, test, and associated component vendor management of a space hardware development program.
• Use first principles as a basis for every decision and discern the right level of analysis to apply.
• Execute hand calculations, spreadsheet, and MATLAB/Python first-order models to inform path forward before jumping into detailed design.
• Define good thermal architecture to withstand the space environments and quantify edge cases that drive the system.
• Communicate pros/cons of system architecture with respect to thermal considerations.
• Present thermal status at formal reviews internally and with customers, providing clear understanding of timelines and technical status.
• Develop internal tools to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of analysis.
• Develop a database of materials, thermal properties, and vendors of thermal hardware for use in space.
• Support failure reviews and root-cause analysis with test data and thermal analysis.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or higher degree in engineering or applied physics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of heat transfer in academic and/or professional setting.
• Proficiency in Thermal Desktop or equivalent thermal simulation tool.
• Hands-on experience prototyping hardware and conducting thermal tests, including selecting instrumentation and post-processing data.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks or Siemens NX.
• Passion for defending the United States and her allies.
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.

Nice-to-haves

• 2+ years professional experience as a thermal analyst using Thermal Desktop.
• Design or test experience on a space platform.
• Experience developing code in higher-level languages like Python or MATLAB for applications like lumped thermal capacitance steady state and transient analysis.
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: 100% covered medical, dental, vision for employees and 90% for dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril.
• Generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December and competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support including fertility, adoption, and gestational carrier coverage.
• Free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and life coaching.
• Professional development stipend available to all employees.
• Daily meals and provisions in many offices.
• Company-funded commuter benefits based on region.
• Relocation assistance depending on role eligibility.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with traditional and Roth options.