Thermal Engineer II
Muon Space
CA$153,000 - CA$172,000 / year
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Description
About the role
Muon Space is hiring a Thermal Engineer II to own the thermal design and analysis of spacecraft assemblies and subsystems — from hand calcs and models through TVAC test support. You'll work independently within your scope and partner across mechanical, electrical, and systems teams.
This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.
Responsibilities
- Build and run thermal models (Thermal Desktop or similar): TVAC margin, conduction/radiation hand calcs, and transient analyses.
- Own the thermal analysis package for an assembly or subsystem end-to-end.
- Size radiators and heaters and define component thermal limits and margins.
- Support thermal verification and TVAC test campaigns, including data reduction.
- Coordinate thermal interfaces with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams.
- Mentor interns and junior engineers through model reviews.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years (BS+5 / MS+3) in spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering.
- Independent user of a thermal analysis package (Thermal Desktop or equivalent).
- Experience with TVAC or other spacecraft thermal testing.
- Solid grasp of conduction/radiation fundamentals and hand calcs.
- B.S. or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Physics, or a related field.
Nice-to-have
- Scripting in Python or Matlab.
- Mechanical CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
- Experience with IR-imaging systems or spacecraft payloads.
Salary
The salary range for this role is $153,000 - $172,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states:
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.
Benefits
- health insurance
- vision insurance
- 401(k)
- stock options
- parental leave
- life insurance
About this role
Muon Space is looking for a Thermal Engineer II to lead thermal design and analysis across spacecraft assemblies and subsystems at their Silicon Valley facility. You'll own the complete thermal package for assigned hardware—from initial hand calculations and modeling through test execution—working independently while coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams. The role involves building and running thermal models in Thermal Desktop, sizing radiators and heaters, defining component margins, supporting TVAC test campaigns, and mentoring junior engineers.
This position requires at least five years of spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering experience (or equivalent with an advanced degree), demonstrated proficiency with thermal analysis software, and hands-on TVAC testing background. You'll need a solid foundation in conduction and radiation fundamentals, a B.S. or higher in a relevant field, and U.S. person status or export authorization eligibility due to ITAR/EAR requirements. Python, Matlab, CAD, or IR-imaging experience would strengthen your candidacy.
The role is hybrid, based in San Jose with three days on-site weekly, and offers a salary of $153,000–$172,000 plus equity, comprehensive health coverage, retirement benefits, three weeks paid vacation, and unlimited sick time. Muon Space, founded in 2021, designs and operates LEO satellite constellations for Earth intelligence applications and is actively building out its manufacturing and integration capabilities.
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Pay for this role
$153,000 to $172,000 per year
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