Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer - Space Exploration Systems

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies Honeybee Robotics has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years, establishing ourselves as pioneers in developing novel exploration systems for the most extreme planetary environments. At our Southern California location, we look to "Touch Life" by supporting planetary science, including every NASA Mars rover since Spirit and Opportunity. We aim to "Mine the Sky" through the development of practical In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) solutions. We search for technically brilliant individuals in engineering, software, and support fields who take ownership of their work, enjoy collaborating in teams, and have a laser focus on the details that drive excellence.

Honeybee Robotics' Exploration Systems division is seeking an experienced Thermal System/Analysis Engineer with technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to join our team. You will be responsible for leading projects that require advanced thermal analysis expertise. You will contribute to the definition and development of spacecraft thermal control systems. In this role, you will drive component and system thermal requirement development and determine performance requirements, interfaces, and allocated resources (mass, power, etc.) for critical thermal components. You will be pivotal in ensuring the thermal integrity of our aerospace components/system, leading complex analyses, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver results. Your primary responsibility will be to conduct thermal analyses, applying state-of-the-art techniques to design, develop, and test groundbreaking space electro-mechanical and avionics systems.

Exploration Systems specializes in the development of advanced robotic systems and technology solutions. Our focus is on creating innovative mechanisms and instruments for a wide range of applications, including space exploration, planetary science, and various terrestrial industries. Our expertise includes designing drilling and sampling systems, robotic arms, mobility systems, and custom solutions that meet the complex needs of challenging environments. We are known for our pioneering work on technologies that enable exploration and operations in harsh conditions, aiming to advance human and robotic capabilities through cutting-edge engineering and collaboration.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions:

• The role requires working in an office/laboratory environment (Altadena, CA) with occasional visits to test facilities and manufacturing sites
• Relocation assistance is provided

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Own and lead the thermal control system (TCS) architecture and design for space electro-mechanical and avionics systems across all program phases — from concept through hardware delivery and mission operations.
• Define thermal control strategies and select appropriate thermal control solutions including passive and active systems, MLI blankets, thermal coatings, heat pipes, heaters, thermostats, radiators, and thermal isolators.
• Lead and conduct comprehensive thermal analysis including steady-state, transient, and trajectory-dependent analyses to characterize thermal environments and verify thermal control system performance.
• Develop, validate, and maintain high-fidelity thermal math models (TMMs) using Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and ANSYS Workbench, and correlate models to test data and flight telemetry.
• Perform rigorous thermal design trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals, providing clear, defensible recommendations to support design decisions.
• Apply deep expertise in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics to solve complex thermal challenges across electro-mechanical and avionics systems.
• Define thermal requirements, allocations, and verification approaches for hardware at the component, subsystem, and system level.
• Lead thermal system integration activities in collaboration with structural, mechanical, avionics, and propulsion engineering teams to ensure compliant and producible thermal designs.
• Develop and execute thermal test plans including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, and acceptance testing to validate thermal control system performance and verify compliance with requirements.
• Collect, process, and analyze thermal test data from hardware testing to validate thermal models and support design decisions.
• Support and present thermal system analysis and design products at design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and key program milestones.
• Lead cross-functional project teams, manage deliverables, and ensure timely completion of program milestones.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior thermal engineers and analysts, elevating team capability and fostering a culture of engineering excellence.
• Identify and champion best practices and process improvements for thermal systems engineering methodologies across the organization.
• Produce high-quality thermal system engineering documentation, analysis reports, and presentations suitable for internal reviews and customer delivery.
• Communicate complex thermal systems results clearly to multi-disciplinary teams, program management, and customers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related technical discipline.
• Level 4 (Senior): 10+ years of relevant experience in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis, thermodynamics, and/or fluid systems.
• Level 5 (Principal): 15+ years of relevant experience in thermal systems engineering, thermal analysis, thermodynamics, and/or fluid systems.
• Proven, hands-on experience designing and analyzing thermal control systems within the space or aerospace industry.
• Expert-level understanding of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), fluid flow, and thermodynamic principles as applied to spacecraft thermal control systems.
• Deep familiarity with spacecraft thermal control hardware including heaters, MLI blankets, thermal coatings, heat pipes, radiators, thermostats, and thermal isolators.
• Proficiency with industry-standard thermal analysis tools including Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and ANSYS Workbench, including model development, validation, correlation, and uncertainty quantification.
• Experience defining thermal requirements, thermal control strategies, and verification approaches at the component, subsystem, and system level.
• Strong understanding of structural and mechanical design fundamentals as they relate to passive thermal hardware integration and producibility.
• Solid grasp of the product development lifecycle in the space industry from design through test, verification, and operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and managing complex, multi-deliverable projects.
• Ability to write clear, concise technical reports and present findings confidently to multi-disciplinary audiences.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with lunar surface thermal environments including diurnal temperature extremes, hard vacuum conditions, solar and albedo flux, regolith thermal properties, and eclipse and survival heating considerations.
• Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical systems thermal control system design and integration.
• Avionics thermal systems expertise at the component and system level.
• Familiarity with cryogenic thermal control systems.
• Proficiency in trajectory-dependent thermal analysis for launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Working knowledge of aerospace standards and regulations including NASA-STD, ECSS, and MIL-HDBK as they apply to thermal control systems.
• Experience on verification and validation programs for complex spaceflight systems.
• Knowledge of MATLAB and/or Python for scripting, data analysis, and thermal model automation.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools, preferably Autodesk Inventor.
• Strong executive-level reporting and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize and deliver under tight deadlines in dynamic program environments.

 

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.