Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or physics
6+ years of experience in a thermal/mechanical role
Expert-level proficiency in Thermal Desktop and/or ANSYS Mechanical or Icepak; comfortable debugging complex models and customizing solver inputs
Experience performing model correlation for complex system level thermal models
A deep, fundamental understanding of heat transfer (radiation, conduction, and convection) and thermodynamics
Proficiency with mechanical CAD
Ability to distill complex analysis data into clear recommendations for the design team
Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria
Bonus
Experience using Python, MATLAB, or Fortran to automate analysis generation, post-processing, or link thermal models with other physics solvers
Specific experience with PCB-level thermal analysis (trace mapping, component-level modeling)
Experience analysing for the space environment
Experience physically setting up and running Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) tests
Benefits
All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.Base Salary$145,000 - $235,000 USDU.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverseHealth insurance401(k)Paid time offFlexible scheduleEquity / stock optionsPerformance bonus
Additional Information
Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity's reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe- large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.
Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world's best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.
Senior Thermal Engineer
As an Astranis Senior Thermal Analyst, you will serve as the technical authority on thermal modeling and simulation. While you will work closely with Astranis space hardware, your primary responsibility is the virtual validation of the vehicle thermal system. You will drive the analysis strategy for everything from high-power electronics to full spacecraft architectures, ensuring that our predictions match reality.
The ideal candidate has a detailed understanding of the principals of FEA as well as the specifics about Thermal Desktop and/or Ansys Mechanical / Icepak. You have a deep expertise in solver settings, to determine appropriate mesh sizing, time-stepping, and convergence criteria to optimize run-time without sacrificing accuracy.
Role
Create thermal models of varying complexity and fidelity in Thermal Desktop and/or ANSYS Mechanical
Perform high-fidelity thermal analysis on critical hardware including propulsion systems, RF payloads, batteries, and PCBs
Refine and enforce analysis best practices among the thermal team, owning the framework for model reviews, file management and analysis quality
Make strategic decisions on analysis fidelity (simplified to detailed) based on project needs
Collaborate with mechanical designers to identify feasible thermal architectures during conceptual and preliminary design phases, using analysis to drive decision-making
Correlate thermal models to ground thermal vacuum test data as well as on-orbit thermal data from our operating fleet of spacecraft
Mentor and support junior engineers, hold training sessions and support the improvement of team analysis practices
Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team
Astranis · San Francisco