Senior Thermal Engineer

About the role

Muon Space is hiring a Senior Thermal Engineer to own instrument-level thermal engineering across missions (SBEM, Quickbeam, Hydrosat) — models, hardware, and verification end-to-end — while contributing to spacecraft-level thermal balance. You'll be a recognized technical voice who works across disciplines to land elegant, well-balanced designs.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

Own instrument thermal models and drive instrument NRE and per-mission-block design improvements.

Own the thermal V&V test plan, including model correlation, for instruments.

Own thermal hardware ICDs (heat straps, radiators) and performance requirements.

Contribute to full-spacecraft thermal balance and system thermal model integration.

Support system-level testing and define thermal limits and margins to other subsystems.

Mentor junior thermal engineers and serve as the technical go-to for instrument thermal.

Required Qualifications

8+ years (BS+8 / MS+6) in spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering.

Expert in thermal simulation and full-spacecraft thermal balance.

Experience designing, executing, and correlating TVAC and unit-level thermal tests.

Fluency across thermal-mechanical interfaces (ICDs, margins, requirements flow-down).

B.S. or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Physics, or a related field.

Nice-to-have

Scripting in Python or Matlab.

Systems-engineering experience.

Experience with IR-imaging systems or spacecraft payloads.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $183,000 - $198,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.