Thermal Engineer

Job Title: Thermal Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on leading and executing thermal design and analysis for spacecraft, satellites, and related space hardware. The Thermal Engineer will apply advanced thermal engineering principles and tools to ensure mission-critical systems operate reliably in the space environment, supporting key program milestones and helping the organization meet critical deadlines on a high-visibility aerospace program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform detailed thermal design and analysis for spacecraft, satellites, and space hardware.
• Conduct comprehensive thermal analyses to predict temperature distributions, heat flows, and thermal performance under various mission conditions.
• Use Thermal Desktop and FloCAD to build, refine, and validate thermal models for complex aerospace systems.
• Develop and analyze fluid systems and thermal-fluid interactions to support overall thermal control strategies.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate thermal solutions into mechanical, structural, and systems designs.
• Apply SolidWorks and other CAD tools to interpret and influence mechanical designs from a thermal perspective.
• Review and interpret aerospace program requirements to ensure thermal designs meet performance, reliability, and safety objectives.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, including analysis reports, model descriptions, and design justifications for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support design reviews, technical meetings, and program milestones by presenting thermal analysis results and recommendations.
• Contribute thermal engineering expertise to help the team meet aggressive program schedules and critical deadlines.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of experience in thermal engineering and thermal analysis, preferably in aerospace applications.
• Proven experience performing thermal analysis on satellites, spacecraft, or other space hardware.
• Strong proficiency with Thermal Desktop for building and analyzing thermal models.
• Hands-on experience with FloCAD for fluid and thermal-fluid system modeling and analysis.
• Demonstrated background in thermal design for aerospace programs, including space environments and mission profiles.
• Experience with fluid design and analysis as part of thermal control systems.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar CAD tools to support thermal design and analysis.
• Aerospace experience, including work on satellites, spacecraft, or related aerospace systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering requirements and translate them into effective thermal designs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on large, complex aerospace programs with critical deadlines.
• background in space hardware development, including understanding of space environmental constraints on thermal design.
• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to clearly document and present thermal analysis results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where thermal engineering decisions significantly influence program success.

Work Environment

The role is based in a rapidly growing aerospace organization with an open, collaborative workspace of approximately 70 employees. Team members work closely across disciplines in a highly interactive environment that encourages communication and shared problem-solving. The pace is dynamic, driven by critical program deadlines and the importance of the underlying space missions. The work centers on advanced space hardware and utilizes modern engineering tools and software in a professional office setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Louisville, CO.

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $72.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Louisville,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on May 8, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.