Senior Thermal Engineer

About the role

Muon Space is hiring a Senior Thermal Engineer to own instrument-level thermal engineering across missions (SBEM, Quickbeam, Hydrosat) — models, hardware, and verification end-to-end — while contributing to spacecraft-level thermal balance. You'll be a recognized technical voice who works across disciplines to land elegant, well-balanced designs.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Own instrument thermal models and drive instrument NRE and per-mission-block design improvements.
• Own the thermal V&V test plan, including model correlation, for instruments.
• Own thermal hardware ICDs (heat straps, radiators) and performance requirements.
• Contribute to full-spacecraft thermal balance and system thermal model integration.
• Support system-level testing and define thermal limits and margins to other subsystems.
• Mentor junior thermal engineers and serve as the technical go-to for instrument thermal.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years (BS+8 / MS+6) in spacecraft or aerospace thermal engineering.
• Expert in thermal simulation and full-spacecraft thermal balance.
• Experience designing, executing, and correlating TVAC and unit-level thermal tests.
• Fluency across thermal-mechanical interfaces (ICDs, margins, requirements flow-down).
• B.S. or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Physics, or a related field.

Nice-to-have

• Scripting in Python or Matlab.
• Systems-engineering experience.
• Experience with IR-imaging systems or spacecraft payloads.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $173,000 - $193,000, 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.