Principal Thermal Control System (TCS) Design Engineer

The Role 

You will own the end-to-end architecture, development, and lifecycle success of spacecraft thermal control systems (TCS) across both R&D and production programs. As the technical authority, you will define system-level thermal strategies and lead the design, integration, and verification of advanced active and passive thermal control solutions, including pump-driven fluid loops, heat pipes, and associated ground support infrastructure (test systems, diagnostics, instrumentation, and software tools). 

You will drive cross-functional alignment across mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams, ensuring thermal system designs are robust, scalable, and production-ready. This includes establishing design standards, verification methodologies, and qualification frameworks for high-reliability components for space environments. 

This role requires deep expertise in pressurized fluid systems (valves, pumps, accumulators, heat exchangers), thermo-mechanical instrumentation (temperature, pressure, and flow sensing), integrated avionics, and structural interfaces. You will lead system-level trade studies, risk assessments, and failure investigations, setting the technical direction for thermal performance and reliability. 

From early concept through production ramp, you will partner with design and manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability and testability, define build and integration flows, and oversee the successful transition from prototype to high-rate production. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead the design of active and passive thermal control systems using basic heat transfer and mechanical equations to size lines, pumps, accumulators, cold plates etc.  

• Collaborate with lead engineers on design and iterate on TCS architecture  

• Lead procurement of long-lead items and actively seek opportunities to shorten timeline 

• Define the roadmap for future improvement of active TCS 

• Planning and development of thermal cycle and thermal-vacuum testing campaigns 

• Design and development of heater and cooling systems including control architecture  

• Setup, commission, and maintain state-of-the-art test stands and instrumentation 

• Develop data acquisition systems for active and passive thermal control systems 

• Perform tests on novel pump fluid loop including feed systems, power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop 

• Develop testing and control scripts to conduct safe and reliable test campaigns of pump fluid loop and individual components 

• Create formal documentation for development and production: test procedures, test reports, and standard operating procedures 

• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical test setups and hardware 

• Document, compile, analyze, and present test data 

Basic Qualifications 

• 6+ years of experience with thermal test experience in a high-rate manufacturing environment 

• 4+ years of experience with sizing and testing fluid systems including pumps, valves, accumulators, heat exchanger, cold plates etc. 

• Demonstrated experience with data acquisition for thermal and power related applications  

• Experience with test plan development and execution 

• Strong experience with thermal and TVAC testing including setup, instrumentation, and troubleshooting 

• Demonstrated knowledge of NX or AutoCAD is preferred to design test fixtures