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Spacecraft Thermal Engineer Verified today

The Exploration Company · Munich, Germany · Mechanical · first seen 2026-09-12
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The Role

You will be the technical lead for thermal verification activities across the Nyx program at The Exploration Company. You will own spacecraft-level thermal test campaigns, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Thermal Balance testing, support Flight Model integration and verification, coordinate thermal qualification with other subsystems, and ensure compliance with spacecraft verification requirements.

You will work closely with System Engineering, Assembly Integration and Test (AIT), test facilities, Program, Avionics and Propulsion teams, reporting to the Principal Thermal Control System Engineer.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance Campaigns

  • Define test objectives, verification logic and success criteria for the Nyx TVAC campaign
  • Develop test plans, procedures and operational concepts with AIT and other functional teams
  • Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews, Test Review Board and NCR Board
  • Lead test logic and execution of spacecraft, subsystem and component thermal test campaigns
  • Drive anomaly and NCR investigations and technical decision-making during testing
  • Present campaign status and recommendations to project leadership
  • Deliver test reports and verification evidence packages

Own Thermal Test Verification Strategy

  • Ensure thermal requirements are properly verified through test, inspection or demonstration
  • Build and maintain verification events
  • Drive verification closure toward Qualification Review and Flight Readiness Review
  • Support Technical Reviews, Design Reviews and Qualification Reviews
  • Ensure TCS verification activities remain aligned with program priorities, schedules and risks

Support Flight Model Integration and AIT

  • Work alongside AIT teams during spacecraft assembly and integration
  • Define thermal instrumentation strategies and test configurations
  • Support installation, verification and troubleshooting of thermal hardware
  • Participate in integrated spacecraft functional testing
  • Support leak testing, functional testing, fluid loop commissioning and system check-outs

Drive Thermal Test Data Exploitation

  • Support pre-test thermal predictions
  • Analyze thermal test results and assess subsystem and spacecraft performance
  • Identify design improvements and operational recommendations
  • Ensure lessons learned are captured and disseminated across the organization

Required Experience

  • MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics or equivalent
  • 10 or more years' experience in spacecraft thermal engineering
  • Proven experience leading Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Balance campaigns
  • Experience with spacecraft qualification and acceptance programs
  • Experience supporting spacecraft assembly, integration and test activities
  • Strong understanding of thermal control systems and their implementation (MLI, temperature sensors, heaters, pumped fluid loops)
  • Experience working with suppliers and external test facilities
  • Experience with thermal instrumentation, DAQ systems and test facility interfaces
  • Experience with test-data processing tools, preferably Python, MATLAB or equivalent
  • Fluent in English. German, French and Italian are an asset

Skills and Behaviors

  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analysis and problem-solving skills
  • Strong organization and task prioritization
  • Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done