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Xona · 3 months ago

Senior Thermal Engineer

Burlingame, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

2+ years exp

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth. The Senior Thermal Engineer will be responsible for the development and validation of thermal systems for spacecraft, ensuring reliable operation in space through design, modeling, and testing.

AerospaceGPSInformation ServicesNavigationSatellite CommunicationSoftware

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Design and implement passive and active thermal control solutions (radiators, coatings, MLI, heaters, etc.)

Develop and maintain thermal models to support concept development, detailed design, and verification

Simulate orbital thermal environments and perform worst-case temperature analyses

Lead and support thermal testing campaigns, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) and thermal cycling tests

Collaborate to define thermal requirements and margins across subsystems

Work with mechanical and integration teams to define hardware layout and thermal interfaces

Prepare documentation and analysis to support reviews and customer deliverables

Qualification

Thermal modeling toolsThermal designAnalysisSatellite mission experienceCADFEA toolsSpace thermal environmentsHands-on mindset

Required

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline

2–5+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis, ideally in the aerospace or satellite industry

Proficiency with thermal modeling tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ESATAN, or similar)

Familiarity with space thermal environments and heat transfer principles (conduction, radiation, etc.)

Experience designing and testing thermal hardware (heaters, insulation, thermistors, etc.)

Hands-on mindset, able to transition between analysis and real hardware

Experience with satellite mission thermal modeling and on-orbit operations

Familiarity with CAD and FEA tools (SolidWorks, ANSYS, COMSOL, etc.)

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC)

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR