Senior Thermal Engineer
Saratech Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
About the Opportunity
Saratech seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design, analysis, and testing efforts for advanced spacecraft hardware. This role spans thermal solutions from electronic components to full-vehicle thermal validation and requires both strong analytical capability and hands‑on test experience.
Salary Range
$95 - $125 per hour
Qualifications and Experience
BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
3+ years of professional experience in thermal analysis and thermally constrained hardware design
Familiarity with mechanical CAD tools and working from 3D models and drawings
Strong interest in hands‑on hardware development
Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, iterative engineering environment
Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop thermal designs across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases using passive and active thermal control approaches
Conduct trade studies balancing thermal performance, mass, power, cost, risk, and schedule
Perform thermal analyses ranging from first‑order estimates to detailed models for propulsion systems, batteries, high‑power electronics, RF systems, mechanisms, and PCBs
Specify, design, source, and evaluate thermal control hardware (heaters, heat pipes, TIMs, surface finishes, coatings)
Define thermal integration and assembly processes to ensure design intent is maintained
Support component‑ and spacecraft‑level integration, including hands‑on installation of thermal hardware when required
Plan, execute, and analyze thermal vacuum (TVAC) tests for components and full spacecraft
Contribute to design reviews, verification documentation, and technical reports
Support team growth through participation in recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding
Assist in improving shop, test, and integration facilities and operational efficiency
Skills and Abilities
Experience with Thermal Desktop, Space Systems Thermal, or similar tools
Background in electronics packaging and PCB thermal design
Experience building, operating, or testing hardware in high‑vacuum environments
Spacecraft, aerospace, or other high‑reliability hardware experience
Other Requirements
Complies with all organizational policies and procedures
Maintains strict confidentiality of all customer and/or employee information to assure customer and/or employee rights are protected
Adheres to policies regarding notification of absence and PTO requests
Attends all mandatory management and staff meetings
Represents the organization in a respectful and professional manner
Attends and complies with annual health, safety, training, and education requirements
Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean
Additional Information
Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Follow detailed complex directions, reason and problem solve.
The person will frequently communicate and converse with other staff. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Company participates in E‑Verify.
Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This description reflects managements assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
This job description is subject to change at any time.
Benefits
Insurance: All full‑time regular employees (and dependents) are eligible to get medical, dental, vision coverage. Employees also can buy up on benefits such as FSA, HSA, Life insurance, long and short‑term disability.
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Retirement Plan: All employees can enroll in the company's 401k with company matching.
Paid Time Off: All full‑time regular exempt employees are eligible for our Discretionary Time Off vacation policy after 90 days from their start date. All full‑time regular non‑exempt employees are eligible for our Paid Time Off Plan policy after 90 days; Paid Time Off plan is an 3.33 hours accrual per pay period for employees.
Paid Holidays: All full‑time employees will receive 8 paid holidays per year. Full‑time non‑exempt employees receive an extra floater holiday per year.
Paid Sick Time: All full‑time and part‑time employees will receive 40 sick hours per year or minimum sick time required by the state.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY NOTICE: Paydarfar Industries, Inc. dba Saratech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Subject to background check
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Saratech seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design, analysis, and testing efforts for advanced spacecraft hardware. This role spans thermal solutions from electronic components to full-vehicle thermal validation and requires both strong analytical capability and hands‑on test experience.
Salary Range
$95 - $125 per hour
Qualifications and Experience
BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
3+ years of professional experience in thermal analysis and thermally constrained hardware design
Familiarity with mechanical CAD tools and working from 3D models and drawings
Strong interest in hands‑on hardware development
Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, iterative engineering environment
Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop thermal designs across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases using passive and active thermal control approaches
Conduct trade studies balancing thermal performance, mass, power, cost, risk, and schedule
Perform thermal analyses ranging from first‑order estimates to detailed models for propulsion systems, batteries, high‑power electronics, RF systems, mechanisms, and PCBs
Specify, design, source, and evaluate thermal control hardware (heaters, heat pipes, TIMs, surface finishes, coatings)
Define thermal integration and assembly processes to ensure design intent is maintained
Support component‑ and spacecraft‑level integration, including hands‑on installation of thermal hardware when required
Plan, execute, and analyze thermal vacuum (TVAC) tests for components and full spacecraft
Contribute to design reviews, verification documentation, and technical reports
Support team growth through participation in recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding
Assist in improving shop, test, and integration facilities and operational efficiency
Skills and Abilities
Experience with Thermal Desktop, Space Systems Thermal, or similar tools
Background in electronics packaging and PCB thermal design
Experience building, operating, or testing hardware in high‑vacuum environments
Spacecraft, aerospace, or other high‑reliability hardware experience
Other Requirements
Complies with all organizational policies and procedures
Maintains strict confidentiality of all customer and/or employee information to assure customer and/or employee rights are protected
Adheres to policies regarding notification of absence and PTO requests
Attends all mandatory management and staff meetings
Represents the organization in a respectful and professional manner
Attends and complies with annual health, safety, training, and education requirements
Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean
Additional Information
Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Follow detailed complex directions, reason and problem solve.
The person will frequently communicate and converse with other staff. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Company participates in E‑Verify.
Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This description reflects managements assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
This job description is subject to change at any time.
Benefits
Insurance: All full‑time regular employees (and dependents) are eligible to get medical, dental, vision coverage. Employees also can buy up on benefits such as FSA, HSA, Life insurance, long and short‑term disability.
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Retirement Plan: All employees can enroll in the company's 401k with company matching.
Paid Time Off: All full‑time regular exempt employees are eligible for our Discretionary Time Off vacation policy after 90 days from their start date. All full‑time regular non‑exempt employees are eligible for our Paid Time Off Plan policy after 90 days; Paid Time Off plan is an 3.33 hours accrual per pay period for employees.
Paid Holidays: All full‑time employees will receive 8 paid holidays per year. Full‑time non‑exempt employees receive an extra floater holiday per year.
Paid Sick Time: All full‑time and part‑time employees will receive 40 sick hours per year or minimum sick time required by the state.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY NOTICE: Paydarfar Industries, Inc. dba Saratech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Subject to background check
#J-18808-Ljbffr