At Turion Space, we’re building spacecraft to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it.
We are seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the design, analyze, test, and implementation of satellite systems. You will work closely with the Turion Space team across software and hardware systems to maximize satellite capabilities. Your creativity, experience, and ambition will directly impact the architecture of the vehicle’s systems as the missions increase in complexity.
This is a full-time, exempt position based on-site at our Irvine, California headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
Lead thermal design of hardware, from initial high-level layout and analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests
Consult with other disciplines as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Thermal Analysis
Provide ongoing mentorship to junior engineers
Automate workflow to reduce engineering investment in the design cycle
Build and control system-level thermal models
Execute thermal design trades to maximize satellite mission performance
Select in-house testing equipment and external testing facilities
Design and execute TVAC testing, including thermal balances
Perform hand-calculations and compare results against model outputs
Pursue operational simplicity
Produce quality documentation of your work to reduce miss-rate and improve efficiency
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
5+ years of experience in the Space industry as a Thermal Engineer
Expertise with Thermal Desktop
Proficiency performing hand calculations
Experience with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
Must be able to obtain Secret and/or TS/SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
Experience guiding junior engineers and providing constructive feedback
A passion for working in small, fast-moving teams
Senior Thermal Engineer Salary: $125,000 - $175,000 USD
ITAR Requirements:
This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:
Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success
Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future.
Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.
Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.
Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.
We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.
Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space 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.
Top Skills
What We Do
Turion Space is building the infrastructure to secure and sustain the future of space. Founded to address the growing need for space domain awareness, in-space servicing, and debris mitigation, Turion designs, builds, and operates spacecraft with real-world operational capability. Our vehicles are built for national security and commercial missions that require speed, autonomy, and resilience.
We believe the next chapter of space operations will be defined by who can act, not just observe. That’s why we’re focused on building platforms that move fast, adapt in orbit, and solve problems ranging from satellite servicing to tactical intelligence gathering.
We successfully launched our DROID.001 satellite in June 2023 and DROID.002 in March 2025. DROID.003 is scheduled for launch in 2026.
Why Work With Us
Turion Space is where startup grit meets real space missions. We build and fly spacecraft for defense, servicing, and domain awareness. No red tape, no sidelines, just hands-on work that matters.
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