Thermal Engineer, Satellites
Job description
About the role
Join the Starlink team to manage the thermal lifecycle of satellite hardware and custom semiconductor packages. You will drive engineering decisions that enhance network performance and vehicle reliability through rigorous design, simulation, and testing.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Perform thermal analysis for satellite components from initial concepts to final orbital validation.
- Design thermal solutions for semiconductor packages using detailed simulations and lab testing.
- Create and execute hardware tests to verify performance under extreme environmental conditions.
- Develop automated workflows to streamline the design cycle and improve efficiency.
- Document engineering work and conduct peer reviews to maintain high quality standards.
- Optimize hardware for performance and operational simplicity to reduce cross-team dependencies.
This role manages the thermal lifecycle of satellite hardware and custom semiconductor packages on the Starlink team. You will perform thermal analysis for satellite components from initial concepts to final orbital validation, and you will design thermal solutions for semiconductor packages using detailed simulations and lab testing. The work directly enhances network performance and vehicle reliability.
The role spans simulation, testing, and process improvement. You will create and execute hardware tests to verify performance under extreme environmental conditions, develop automated workflows to streamline the design cycle and improve efficiency, and document engineering work and conduct peer reviews to maintain high quality standards. You will also optimize hardware for performance and operational simplicity to reduce cross-team dependencies.
Thermal engineering for satellites requires strong simulation and testing skills. Candidates with proficiency in chip thermal design tools such as Icepak or Flotherm, experience using Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench, and a background in 3D and reduced order thermal modeling will be well prepared. Experience with scientific programming languages and scripting languages, and the ability to quickly size cases and evaluate the impact of design choices, are strong advantages. The role operates under aggressive project schedules in support of the satellite constellation, and offers the chance to shape thermal design on the world's largest satellite network. It is a strong fit for an engineer who enjoys simulation, testing, and working across the full design lifecycle. The team works closely with hardware and software engineers across the Starlink program. The work has a direct and measurable impact on satellite performance and reliability.
Requirements
- Bachelor degree in an engineering field.
- Minimum 1 year of industry experience, including internships or co-ops.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.
- Availability to work extended hours and weekends for mission-critical deadlines.
Nice to have
- Proficiency in chip thermal design tools such as Icepak or Flotherm.
- Minimum 1 year of experience with scientific programming languages.
- Experience using Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench.
- Background in 3D and reduced order thermal modeling.
- Ability to quickly size cases and evaluate the impact of design choices.
- Working knowledge of scripting languages.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to perform under aggressive project schedules.
Skills & tools
Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Workbench, Flotherm, Icepak, scientific programming languages, scripting languages.
Practical notes
Salary ranges: Thermal Engineer I ($100,000 to $115,000 per year) and Thermal Engineer II ($110,000 to $135,000 per year). Total compensation includes potential stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays. Company shuttles operate Monday through Friday between select Seattle locations and the Redmond office.
About the company
Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.