Occupation
Thermal Engineer
Thermal Engineers design and analyze systems that manage heat in complex products like aircraft, spacecraft, and industrial equipment, using computational modeling, testing, and first-principles analysis to ensure components operate within safe temperature ranges. The work typically involves thermal simulation software, lab testing, material science, and close collaboration with mechanical and electrical engineers across product development from concept through deployment. The role suits analytical problem-solvers with strong physics fundamentals who can balance theoretical modeling with practical engineering constraints in fast-paced technical environments.
Duties & responsibilities
- Design and analyze thermal management systems for spacecraft, aircraft, and industrial equipment using first-principles analysis
- Perform thermal simulations and modeling using software such as Thermal Desktop, Ansys, or similar tools
- Conduct thermal testing and validation to verify system performance and safety across operating conditions
- Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to integrate thermal solutions into product designs
- Resolve thermal anomalies and manage on-orbit thermal operations for deployed systems
- Define thermal control limits and fault detection parameters to ensure safe component operation
- Support product development from concept through testing and deployment phases
What Thermal Engineer roles involve, from employers’ own postings.
How much does a Thermal Engineer make?
Too few Thermal Engineer postings state pay to publish a median yet: 3 of 7 open roles do, and we wait for 25.
Who is hiring for Thermal Engineer roles?
7 open Thermal Engineer roles from 6 employers; the most at Impulse Space, AST SpaceMobile and CesiumAstro.
From employers’ own postings, as of.
Thermal Engineer in the job market
Last checked October 28, 2026
- Open roles
- 7
- Employers
- 6
- Median pay
- —
- Disclose pay
- —
on Career App right now
hiring for it
not enough disclosed
of these roles
Open Thermal Engineer roles (7)
Senior Staff Thermal Engineer
CesiumAstro
Full-time · Westminster, CO · $184,000 – $246,000
CesiumAstro seeks a Senior Staff Thermal Engineer to design and validate thermal control systems for satellites and aerospace platforms, spanning from concept through qualification testing. The role suits experienced thermal engineers who want to work on next-generation space hardware in a collaborative startup environment.
Listed on CesiumAstro’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Thermal Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)
Impulse Space
Internship · Redondo Beach
You'll help design and analyze thermal management systems for spacecraft under development, from initial concept through flight testing. This role suits someone starting their engineering career who wants hands-on experience with real hardware in a dynamic aerospace team.
Listed on Impulse Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Senior Staff Engineer, Thermal Engineering
Invenergy
Full-time · Chicago, IL · $85,000 – $108,000
This role supports the development and engineering of geothermal and thermal power generation projects from conception through operation, requiring hands-on technical leadership across design, permitting, and construction phases. It suits experienced engineers with a background in thermal systems who want to drive large-scale energy infrastructure projects across North America.
Listed on Invenergy’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Thermal Engineer II
Voyager
Pittsburgh, PA
Thermal engineer supporting the design, testing, and operation of thermal control systems for lunar spacecraft and surface power systems at an aerospace company in Pittsburgh. Suits engineers with a background in thermal-fluid systems, spacecraft experience, and proficiency in thermal analysis software who want to contribute to lunar exploration hardware.
Listed on Voyager’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Senior Thermal Engineer
AST SpaceMobile
Dallas, TX
AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to manage on-orbit thermal operations and anomaly resolution for a space-based communications satellite system. This role suits experienced spacecraft thermal engineers who can lead cross-functional teams, perform thermal analysis, and ensure safe spacecraft performance in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Listed on AST SpaceMobile’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Engineer II, Thermal Design and Analysis (R4934)
Shield AI
Full-time · Seattle, WA · $110,000 – $160,000
Design and analyze thermal management systems for advanced autonomous aircraft and their launch/recovery components at a defense-tech company. This role suits experienced thermal engineers who excel at first-principles problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced, mission-focused environments.
Listed on Shield AI’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Thermal Engineer
Impulse Space
Redondo Beach
This role involves designing and managing thermal systems for spacecraft throughout their lifecycle, from initial concept through testing and deployment. It's suited for engineers who want hands-on experience with spacecraft development in a rapidly-moving, collaborative environment.
Listed on Impulse Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Employers hiring Thermal Engineers
6 in total, most open roles first.
- ISImpulse Space2 roles
- ASAST SpaceMobile1 role
- CCesiumAstro1 role
- IInvenergy1 role
- SAShield AI1 role
- VVoyager1 role