Home / Jobs / SpaceX

ExperiencedSpace

Thermal Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX · Redmond, WA

Posted Nov 3, 2026

Est. total comp~$199K–$304K

Apply on SpaceX's site ↗

From the posting

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

THERMAL ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a thermal engineer, you are responsible for the thermal design, test, and validation of Starlink satellite hardware and custom developed chips. You will make engineering decisions to improve the vehicle and increase the performance of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Thermal design of satellite components, from initial high-level analysis down to validation of performance with ground tests and orbital data …

Excerpt from SpaceX's public job board. Read the full posting.

Job inventory

Required 3 items

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: 1+ year of experience

Clearance and work authorization: US person (ITAR)

Preferred 1 item

Skills and tools: ANSYS

Also in the posting: extended hours; weekends as needed

Get ready for this role

Crew department: Life Support

Skills this kind of role usually asks for:

Thermal systems
Thermal and fluid systems
Sensors and controls
Reliability and redundancy
Test and verification

Related coursework: the Life Support Track: HVAC, Cooling, Water and Power. We study 4 core modules, take a quiz after each one and pass a final test to earn the Mars Mining Certificate in Life Support Fundamentals. We can link its verification page from our resume. It records online learning, not professional licensing or work experience.

Join the crew and train for this role About Life Support

Quick self-check: are you ready for this one?Free, no signup. Your answers stay in this browser tab.

I can do Thermal systems on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Thermal and fluid systems on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Sensors and controls on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Reliability and redundancy on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Test and verification on the job, or have used it in a class or project I have a project or work sample I could show an interviewer My resume is tailored to this kind of role I've practiced answering interview questions for this kind of job

Free. The department comes from the job title and can be off. A Mars Mining certificate shows you studied and passed our test; it isn't a license or academic credit.

About this listing. Pulled automatically from SpaceX's public job board and refreshed daily; closed roles are removed. Mars Mining Co. is not the employer, does not take applications and does not screen candidates. Field and level labels come from the job title and can be wrong.

More at SpaceX

Elevator Mechanic - Level 4/5 Starbase, TX
HVAC Technician Starbase, TX
Mechanical Technician Starbase, TX
Hardware Reliability Technician (Starlink) Bastrop, TX
Optical Test Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind) Bastrop, TX

All SpaceX roles on our board →

New to the field? Use the roadmap or read the break-in guides.