Thermal Engineer

Parque Industrial de Elche (Poligono Industrial), España

About PLD Space

Founded in 2011, PLD Space is a high-tech engineering, manufacturing and service-driven company, with deep track record and expertise in space launch technologies.

We are a trusted global championing industry leader disrupting the pathway to space access. We are on a mission to reach new heights by making space more accessible, supporting missions that will make us smarter, safer and wealthier.

Our purpose is to propel new futures, to enable progress from space and enrich peoples’ lives on Earth, by moving new economies, people and world forward.

Mission

As a Thermal Engineer at PLD Space, your mission is to ensure the thermal performance and reliability of our launch vehicles by conducting in-depth thermal analyses and providing thermal design solutions for both stages. Your role is crucial in optimizing thermal protection, optimize thermal control by passive and active means when necessary, and ensuring the longevity and safety for reusable launch vehicles.  For each mission, the Thermal Engineer will ensure that the Payload thermal requirements are met on ground and during flight.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal analysis and modeling of launch vehicle systems and subsystems, including thermal loads, heat transfer, and temperature distribution predictions.  
• Collaborate with design teams to develop thermal control strategies and solutions, including the selection of materials, insulation, and thermal protection systems for propellant tanks and CFRP structures. 
• Vehicle thermal control system architecture sizing and definition.
• Contributing to concept of operations development and mission operations.
• Conduct thermal design reviews to ensure compliance with thermal requirements. 
• Analyze and optimize the thermal performance of critical components, such as structures, equipment, and payload, for the ground operations and in flight.
• Conduct thermal testing and validation of hardware and subsystems, including hot-testing, cryogenic testing, thermal vacuum tests and thermal cycling tests. 
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on thermal issues throughout the design, development, and testing phases. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, systems engineers, mission engineers and manufacturing teams, to ensure thermal considerations are integrated into the overall system design. 
• Generate thermal design documents, analysis reports, documenting methodologies and design standards, assumptions, and results for internal use and customer review. 
• Generate documentation for formal program development reviews. 

Required Knowledge

• Aerospace Engineering bachelor’s degree or related technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred. 
• > 2 years of relevant technical experience. 
• Demonstrated experience and advanced knowledge in thermal systems, thermal analysis, and design solutions (MLI, coatings, heating systems…), including manufacturing and assembly limitations/constraints and hardware verification.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, thermal management techniques, and thermal control systems. 
• Working experience with thermal and mechanical computer aided design tools, particularly Thermal Desktop, ESATAN-TMS or SYSTEMA.
• Knowledge of materials properties and their impact on thermal behavior in aerospace applications. 
• Familiarity with thermal testing methodologies and procedures. 
• Understanding and knowledge of space environmental factors.
• Must have general understanding and application of standard principles, theories, concepts and techniques in heat transfer and thermal engineering.

Required Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform complex thermal analyses and identify design solutions. 
• Excellent mathematical and computational skills for performing thermal simulations and analyses (GMM and TMM)
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in analyzing data, conducting simulations, and documenting results. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills to meet project deadlines and milestones. 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. 
• English B2-C1. 

Desired Competencies

• Familiarity with spacecraft and/or launch vehicle systems including launch and orbital environments.
• Working experience with natural and forced convection, linear conduction, radiation and numerical algorithms.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop analysis software
• Experience with programming such as Matlab and/or Python.
• Knowledge of thermal control system design and integration. 
• Understanding of thermal interface materials and their application in aerospace systems. 
• Understanding of engineering simulation such as finite element structural analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
• Experience with thermal testing equipment and procedures. 
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to thermal analysis and thermal control systems. 
• French B2-C1. 

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Physiotherapy within our facilities
• 50% discount on your health insurance
• You can sign-up your family members with health insurance at a competitive price.
• Healthy snacks and lots of fruit

Find balance

• 23 days of paid vacation plus December 24th and 31st
• Flexible work schedule

Never stop learning

• We encourage practical learning
• We promote professional development through internal mobility and teamwork

Focus on your financial future

• Childcare flexible contributions
• Restaurant tickets
• Transport flexible contributions
• Training support

 

Values

We have five critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the future of space launch technologies.

• Teamwork.
• Hard work.
• Dynamism.
• Commitment.
• Keep it simple.

 

Join us to reinvent how rockets are built!