Varda Space Industries · 9 hours ago
Thermal Analysis Engineer
Varda Space Industries is focused on developing commercial space infrastructure and accelerating innovation in the orbital economy. The Thermal Analysis Engineer will play a crucial role in developing thermal architectures and providing hardware design requirements for Varda's space vehicles, driving spacecraft hardware design and testing while collaborating with various spacecraft disciplines.
AerospaceManufacturingProduct Design
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain integrated thermal analysis models for Varda’s space vehicles
Work collaboratively with other spacecraft disciplines to define thermal hardware requirements and iterate on designs based on simulation results
Publish flight predictions and provide actionable guidance larger engineering team
Ensure spacecraft remains within operating and survival limits during all mission phases via passive and active thermal control. Seek solutions that provide operational simplicity and system robustness
Create and maintain tools/systems for thermal simulation and flight data processing
Inform component level acceptance and qualification tests, as well as directing vehicle level TVAC test campaigns
Post-flight correlations to assess performance and improve thermal models
Work open ended problems to inform technical decisions, balancing efficiency and fidelity
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related discipline with a minimum of 3+ years of related professional experience
Familiarity with passive and active thermal control systems
Experience in detailed thermal analysis and troubleshooting in programs such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS, MSC Nastran
Experience in MATLAB (or equivalent) for data processing and task automation
Ability to structure open ended problems and perform system balance sizing with hand calcs or simplified simulations
Experience in 0D and 1D thermal and/or fluid networks
Familiarity with thermal margins and qualification test requirements in SMC-S-016
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interdisciplinary technical communication (structures, avionics, software, production, GNC, etc.)
Experience in project management/leadership for a multidisciplinary design or test campaign
Ability to successfully respond to evolving requirements in a fast-moving organization
Excitement about making history at the forefront of both the space and pharmaceutical industries
Preferred
Experience of the entire project lifecycle of a spacecraft, from initial concept to mission success
Familiarity with typical spacecraft thermal control technologies (e.g. heat pipes, pumped fluid systems, thermal blankets, optical coatings, etc.)
Experience in thermal design and analysis of reentry systems
A track record of taking ownership of projects and delivering results in a fast-paced environment
Master's degree in an engineering discipline
Benefits
Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
401(k) matching (interns excluded)
Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)
Company
Varda Space Industries
Low Earth orbit is open for business.
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$328.02MKey Investors
Alumni VenturesCaffeinated CapitalKhosla Ventures
2025-07-10Series C· $187M
2024-12-19Series C
2024-04-05Series B· $90M
Recent News
Business Insider
2025-12-25
2025-12-17
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