Satellite Thermal Engineer

About NewOrbit Space

NewOrbit is engineering the lowest-orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight.

Our engineering teams are tackling one of the toughest challenges in the field: building satellites that can breathe air and operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. This isn’t for everyone, as the conditions can be hard, and we are seeking only the highest-performing engineers who excel at solving unprecedented challenges.

However, the hard work pays off. Through our satellites, humanity will benefit from improved satellite imagery, direct-to-phone internet, and a self-cleaning orbit free from space debris.

Please note that this is not a regular 9-to-5 job. You are expected to be able to work extended hours on-site.

Your Role

We are seeking an expert who has solved challenging heat dissipation problems for satellites. You will work alongside our mechanical and electronics engineers to ensure the stable operation of our satellite and engine, with temperatures exceeding 300°C. You should be capable of delivering a thermal control system from scratch and taking full ownership of it, ensuring the success of our mission.

Responsibilities

• Performing steady-state and transient thermal analysis of spacecraft thermal systems and track system performance during ground operations, TVAC testing, launch, and orbit.
• Advising hardware development teams on design decisions. You need to have an excellent understanding of materials, thermal properties, and the main approaches for thermal dissipation.
• Providing thermal engineering leadership and support for developing thermal vacuum test procedures, scripts, and installation designs.
• Driving the development of thermal systems, including system architecture definition, thermal system modelling, component sizing, and design.

Fundamental Requirements

• Understanding of the fundamentals (theory and practice) of thermal control design for satellites.
• Extensive experience using lab equipment, as this role includes a hardware-based element
• Proficiency in FEM and thermal analysis tools (e.g., Ansys, Thermal Desktop or ESATAN)) and have experience with programming languages.

Why NewOrbit

Pioneering Space Technology Join NewOrbit and contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space next year. Your work on our revolutionary air-breathing ion propulsion system will redefine satellite operations in ultra-low Earth orbits.

Unmatched Ownership and Impact At NewOrbit, you'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology development and face diverse challenges in preparing our propulsion for space.

Equity and Competitive Salary NewOrbit offers not just competitive salaries but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the pioneering technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.

Application Process

Our interview process consists of four stages. The initial stage involves a call with Alex, followed by two interviews with our founders, Anatolii and Ruslan. If you progress successfully through these stages, you will be invited to complete a set of technical tasks, which will be reviewed and discussed during the fourth and final interview. If feasible, we would also like to invite you to our facilities in Reading as part of the final interview. Here you will get the chance to meet the rest of our team and tour our laboratories and office spaces.