Thermal Engineer

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

Hera Technologies is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in high-precision metallic and non-metallic solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space sectors. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has positioned us as an industry leader in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of thermal support systems. Our team is driven by excellence, integrity, and a passion for advancing aerospace technology.

Role Summary:

This is a full-time, on-site role for an experienced Thermal Engineer in Thermal Protection Systems. The Thermal Engineer will work in a hands-on, collaborative environment, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for space and aerospace thermal applications. This role spans the entire product lifecycle, from concept generation and comprehensive thermal modeling to hardware fabrication, verification testing, and final production. The candidate will collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary engineering teams, production staff, and customers to ensure thermal protection hardware, including active/passive designs and soft goods, meets stringent performance, safety, and environmental requirements. The candidate must be a meticulous self-starter who pays attention to details, possesses excellent communication skills, and takes responsibility for driving technical solutions to resolution.

Key Responsibilities

Actively participate in the design, fabrication, and assembly of thermal protection hardware, including but not limited to cutting and sewing materials used for space and aerospace applications.

Perform comprehensive thermal modeling and analysis of flight subsystems and systems, including related thermal hardware, while collaborating closely with customer subject matter experts.

Develop thermal models of active and passive thermal designs using a mixture of numerical solutions and hand calculations of spacecraft systems, subsystems, avionics, and mechanisms that predict temperature margins in a variety of thermal space environments.

Develop thermal verification test plans, procedures, and support test activities, monitor and correlate test results to model predictions.

Participate in thermal hardware testing campaigns and qualifications including periods of off-hours or on-call work.

Work closely with other subject matter experts to define requirements, iterate through design concepts, and demonstrate overall system performance.

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to reduce thermal risk by identifying the constraining elements of a thermal design and recommend mitigation strategies from the concept level to design, production, and operation.

Conduct thermo-mechanical design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.

Document analyses and designs including inputs, methods, and results as needed for presentation at design and test reviews and for hardware implementation.

Prepare technical documents and presentations to present the results of analysis and tests to Managers, Customers, and/or Stakeholders.

Interface with Program, Engineering, and Customer teams on thermal design, performance, and test issues and support other teams/disciplines, as necessary.

Develop tools to support concept trade studies and post-processing analysis.

Support Business Development activities, including proposals, white papers, and requests for information.

Effective communication with Production, Machining, Maintenance, and Quality departments to ensure timely delivery.

Capability to improve KPIs: safety, quality, on-time delivery, and efficiency.

Collaboration skills with Engineering and Contracts personnel on hiring, performance reviews, and promotions.

Ability to participate in recruitment efforts and support 5-S, health, safety, and environmental guidelines.

Competence in performing cross-functional operations and maintaining a clean work area.

Required Qualifications

Minimum of two-four+ years of direct experience working on aerospace and space sectors as thermal subject matter expert.

Strong knowledge and hands-on experience of thermal design management, surface optical treatments, cut and sow thermal protection systems including but not limited to insulation material (MLI), and composite and additive manufactured ceramic heat shields used in aerospace and space applications.

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or other related field from an accredited organization.

Proficiency with Thermal Desktop or other similar tools accepted in the industry is necessary.

Experience developing detailed thermal and simplified thermal models for spacecraft and rocket systems, subsystems, and components including associated thermal hardware (active and passive).

Experience with process development, as pertains to thermal analysis methods, testing methods, or model correlation.

Knowledge of environmental requirements, engineering, thermal vacuum/ambient pressure testing, including use of data acquisition systems.

Must possess an understanding of the basic principles of radiation and conduction and convection heat transfer in conjunction with space environment heating effects and parameters associated with spaceflight applications.

Deep understanding of orbital mechanics and thermal design considerations with respect to launch environment, MEO, LEO, GEO, and other orbits.

Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar

Proficiency with computational scripting languages (MATLAB, Python, Mathematica, etc.).

Meticulous and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a powerful desire to be a leader/key contributor on a small team.

Highly responsible collaborator with a cheerful outlook and excellent communication and documentation skills.

Solid foundation and familiarity with applicable industry standards and literature including but not limited to SMS-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000 and Space Mission analysis and Desing (SMAD).

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD US Government Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with technical leadership responsibilities, such as serving on Risk Reduction teams or as Subject Matter Expert.

Ownership of technical issues with respect to Engineering Review Boards, NCRs, and other engineering anomalies with the expectation of bringing them to resolution.

Experience with planning, execution, and data analysis of thermal and/or mechanical testing for launch or space mission applications.

Proven experience developing full design solutions for thermo-mechanical systems used in satellites, launch vehicles or missile systems.

Experience in a production environment within the space/aerospace industry.

Knowledge of ERP systems and machining and bonding of various materials including but not limited to composites

Knowledge of safety/environmental measures, machining operations, and inspection methods.

Familiarity with ablative materials and designing/analyzing techniques for extreme environments is a plus.

Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering (Aerospace/Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering) with a Thermal focus or similar desired.

Additional Requirements

Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lb and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.

Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.

Occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.

Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English.

Job Details

FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt) Type: Full Time Business Hours: 8 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday with additional hours or weekends as needed based on business demands Location: Irvine, CA Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000 annually Travel: Up to 10%

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.