Staff Mechanical Engineer, Thermal
ViasatAbout us: One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team. What you'll do: ViaSat is seeking a highly motivated Thermal Engineer to join our growing space infrastructure team. In this role, you will lead the thermal analysis, design, development, qualification, and production transition of thermal control solutions and systems for next-generation satellite platforms. You will develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission. You will serve as a key technical contributor across the full product lifecycle, driving innovative solutions for challenging spaceflight applications while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis and control with the ability to independently solve complex problems, influence technical direction, and mentor developing engineers. The day-to-day: In this role, you will lead and contribute to projects and programs of significant scope and complexity, applying advanced engineering principles to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective spacecraft thermal control systems. You will: Develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission. Lead thermal modeling, analysis, and development efforts for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and payload systems. Independently define problems, evaluate trade studies, and develop engineering solutions that balance thermal performance, schedule, cost, and risk. Own thermal control subsystem design from concept development through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support. Perform and direct detailed thermal analysis, environmental predictions, and orbital thermal simulations to validate flight hardware designs. Develop thermal engineering requirements, specifications, procedures, and qualification plans. Lead thermal hardware development, integration, thermal vacuum testing, and thermal anomaly resolution activities. Drive Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and provide thermal technical recommendations to program leadership. Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product execution. Evaluate new thermal control technologies, materials, coatings, and heat transfer processes to improve product capability and scalability. Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and thermal analysts. Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in spacecraft thermal engineering and analysis. What you'll need: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline. 10+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience developing thermal models and spaceflight hardware. Demonstrated experience leading thermal subsystem development and thermal analysis for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or other aerospace systems. Strong understanding of thermal management, heat transfer, orbital environments, dynamic, and environmental requirements for space applications. Experience with thermal engineering analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, or equivalent, alongside CAD software. Experience with thermal environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) and thermal cycling. Ability to independently solve complex thermal problem…