UK Space Jobs
Thermal Engineer
Requirements
The role requires a solid understanding of thermal engineering for spacecraft and hands-on experience with thermal simulation tools such as Systema, Thermal Desktop, or ESATAN. Candidates should have experience with environmental and laboratory testing, including TVAC, thermal cycling, or AIT process validation, and be comfortable in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
Job Description
NewOrbit builds satellites that fly in very low Earth orbit, below 300 km, along with the electric propulsion that keeps them there.
Flying closer to Earth means sharper imagery from smaller optics, and an orbit that cleans itself: our satellites de-orbit within a month at end of life, leaving no debris.
Our AURA family of RF gridded ion thrusters powers our own NEO-1 satellite, with first flight planned for Q3 2028, and is also offered to other operators.
Electric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and our AURA RF gridded ion thruster is at the centre of it.
Role
We are looking for a skilled Thermal Engineer with experience in spacecraft thermal management at both the subsystem and spacecraft level.
You’ll work closely with a cross-functional team - including mechanical, propulsion, electronics, and mission planning - to ensure reliable thermal performance of our satellite throughout all mission phases: from launch to operation in orbit and end-of-life.
You should be capable of delivering a thermal control system from scratch and taking full ownership of it, ensuring the success of our mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform steady-state and transient thermal analysis of the spacecraft across all mission phases (TVAC testing, launch, orbit).
- Model and validate heat management strategies in the harsh environment of vacuum, where conduction and radiation are dominant
- Identify and manage worst-case scenarios in extreme thermal conditions (both hot and cold), accounting for on-orbit environmental factors and internal power dissipation
- Design and implement thermal control solutions such as multilayer insulation (MLI), radiators, heaters, thermo-optical coatings, thermistors, and thermal straps
- Develop and support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test procedures, instrumentation setup, and post-test data analysis.
- Be hands on in hardware testing for validation of processes, instrumentation, and materials and components chosen for in house developments
- Solid understanding of thermal engineering principles in the context of spacecraft systems.
- Hands-on experience with thermal simulation tools such as Systema, Thermal Desktop, ESATAN, or equivalent.
- Experience with environmental and lab testing (TVAC, thermal cycling, AIT process validation).
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative development environment.
- Experience designing or testing spacecraft thermal systems.
- Exposure to multidisciplinary space system development or mission analysis.
- Pioneering space technology - Your work on our RF gridded ion thrusters and VLEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and challenge traditional LEO.
- Ownership and impact - You'll have a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry, and you'll take part in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
- Equity and competitive salary - Alongside a competitive salary you receive a company ownership stake, so you share in the technology you help build and in our collective success.
- Comprehensive benefits - Private health insurance with dental and optical cover, and annual health check-ups.
- Hybrid working - One dedicated remote day per week.
- Visa sponsorship and relocation support - We sponsor visas and provide relocation support for candidates moving to join us.
Skills
About UK Space Jobs
UK Space Jobs is the UK's specialist job board for the space sector — part of the Future Tech Jobs network of 16 sector-specific UK tech and life sciences job boards. For candidates 🔍 We list roles across satellite and spacecraft engineering, systems engineering, AIT, ground segment, mission operations, propulsion, GNC and earth observation roles. From graduate engineer to chief engineer — every listing is sector-relevant, no wading through generic tech jobs. Explore live roles at ukspacejobs.co.uk For employers 🎯 The UK space talent pool is small, specialised and often security-cleared — exactly the audience generalist boards dilute. We put your roles in front of an engaged audience of space and satellite engineers actively looking in this field — with company profiles, branding and cross-posting available across the wider Future Tech Jobs network. Post a role at ukspacejobs.co.uk/hire Part of Future Tech Jobs Our network spans quantum computing, AI, machine learning, data engineering, data science, biotechnology, medical technology, space, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, UAV, blockchain, cloud, edge computing and materials science — specialist boards for specialist talent.