---
title: 'Senior Thermal Engineer at Gravitics, Inc'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-thermal-engineer-gravitics-inc-seattle-r6134reskh3b'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-04'
---

# Senior Thermal Engineer at Gravitics, Inc

- **Company:** Gravitics, Inc
- **Location:** Seattle, WA / Denver, CO
- **Compensation:** $135k–$170k
- **Posted:** 2026-06-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-04
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graviticsinc/jobs/4287472009

## Job description

Senior Thermal Engineer

## About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture large-scale orbital structures that enable commercial operations while meeting the requirements of defense and government missions.

Our systems are built to scale and built to last—bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical performance. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future together.

## About the Role

To build our orbital platforms, we need a seasoned thermal engineer who can own thermal design and integration across both in-house and purchased subsystems — and manage thermal interface requirements for internal and external customers. On our hardware-focused team, you’ll take thermal systems from concept to launch: writing architectures, requirements, and development roadmaps; performing component selection and detailed analysis; supervising contract or in-house manufacturing; and supporting test, qualification, and on-orbit operations.

You’ll also serve as a mentor to junior engineers, imparting sound practices and experience-based lessons while actively seeking better tools and ideas. The ideal candidate presents confidently at engineering design reviews, contributes to proposals and funding opportunities, and brings superb written and verbal communication skills.

## About You

You’re a successful candidate if you have deep thermal engineering expertise built across the full hardware lifecycle — from napkin sketch to on-orbit performance. You’re as comfortable at a whiteboard as you are in a thermal vacuum chamber. You raise the bar for the engineers around you and don’t wait to be told what needs solving.

## Responsibilities

- Own thermal design and integration for orbital structures, from concept through on-orbit operations.
- Write and maintain system architectures, requirements documents, and development roadmaps.
- Perform component selection and coarse and detailed thermal analysis.
- Manage thermal interface requirements for internal teams and external customers.
- Supervise contract or in-house manufacturing of thermal hardware.
- Design and support test and qualification campaigns including thermal chamber testing.
- Present work products confidently at engineering design reviews to internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to proposals, funding opportunities, and research initiatives.
- Mentor junior engineers and actively develop team capabilities.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university.
- 7+ years of post-baccalaureate thermal design, analysis, test, and troubleshooting experience in industry or university research.
- Extensive space industry experience designing thermal systems from concept through manufacturing, test, and deployment.
- System architecture design experience.
- Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop or Siemens Simcenter.
- Experience with design in Siemens NX.
- Experience with thermal chamber testing in both ambient and vacuum environments.
- Extensive hands-on experience with data acquisition instrumentation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident presenting at design reviews.
- Candidates must be willing to work on Civil, Commercial, and Defense-related projects.

Bonus Points for

- Flight experience with space thermal system design, development, and qualification.
- Multiple test campaigns at the component or vehicle level.

## Compensation and Benefits

Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee discounts, and more.

## About Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Salary Range $135,000—$170,000 USD

## About Gravitics, Inc

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Gravitics develops modular, 4-meter diameter space station platforms, orbital carriers, and cargo/logistics systems for commercial, civil, and defense space infrastructure.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Grant-II stage; total disclosed funding ~$21.7M in equity/grants plus a $60M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Space Force)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA (with a manufacturing facility in Marysville, WA)
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Colin Doughan (Co-Founder & CEO), Michael Bowker (Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer), Jiral Shah (Co-Founder & Chief Architect)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Aerospace & Defense (space infrastructure, orbital logistics, tactical responsiveness)
- Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (Space Force, Missile Defense Agency), civil space agencies, commercial space station operators
- Mission: Expand human flourishing throughout the solar system by building scalable, modular space platforms that enable rapid, on-demand operations

## Products & Services
- **StarMax**: Pressurized commercial space station module (4m diameter) designed for crewed and cargo missions; supports space station buildout.
- **Orbital Carriers (Viper OTX, Medusa)**: Free-flying platforms that house and deploy multiple payloads or spacecraft on-orbit; enable tactically responsive space missions (under 12-hour call-up). Payload capacity ranges from 750–5,500 kg to MEO, GEO, and low lunar orbit.
- **Cargo & Logistics Modules**: Unpressurized and pressurized modules for transporting supplies, experiments, or defense payloads.
- **LTO Battery Systems**: High-power-density lithium-titanate oxide batteries for space applications (developed under SBIR contracts), offering >290 W/kg, 60k cycle life, and enhanced safety.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total equity/grants raised ~$21.7M (latest round: Grant-II, per CB Insights); plus a $60M STRATFI award from the U.S. Space Force (2024) for orbital carrier demonstration
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Tim Draper, Nick Shekerdemian, Ryan Kriser (key investors); U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency (government partners); advisors include Sundeep Kumar
- **Growth Signals**: Awarded SHIELD IDIQ contract by Missile Defense Agency; selected for $60M STRATFI; multiple SBIR Phase II awards (2024); 40 employees and growing; first flight targets set for 2027–2028

## Competitive Advantages
- **Modular, shared form factor**: All products use the same 4m diameter design with common components, tooling, and operations – reducing cost and lead time.
- **On‑demand orbital capability**: Carriers can deliver payloads to any LEO/MEO/GEO orbit in under 12 hours, bypassing launch weather/range constraints – a unique defense differentiator.
- **Dual‑use technology**: Products serve both commercial space stations and military rapid-response needs, broadening market and funding sources.
- **Agile hardware development**: Culture of “fail fast, fail often” applied to physical manufacturing, enabling rapid iteration.

## Strategic Focus
- **Tactically Responsive Space**: Prioritizing orbital carriers for space mobility, emergency response, and missile defense under U.S. Space Force programs.
- **Commercial space station infrastructure**: StarMax modules target the growing market for private space stations (e.g., NET 2027 first flight).
- **Battery systems diversification**: LTO batteries for DoD and civil space applications as a secondary revenue stream.
- **Partnerships**: Seeking industry partners to scale manufacturing and integrate with launch providers.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values autonomy, trust, and transparency (“no accountability without authority”); open sharing of financials and risks; emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- **Work environment**: Likely on‑site in Seattle/Marysville with a hands‑on hardware focus; “build the sky” mentality.
- **Benefits**: Generous paid family leave, comprehensive Cigna medical/dental/vision, 401k (non‑matched), equity grants, $50k employer‑paid life insurance, and a minimum PTO requirement (enforced to ensure rest).
- **Perks**: Employee assistance plan, voluntary supplemental insurance, and a culture that celebrates learning from failure.
- **Growth opportunity**: Small team (~40 people) with direct impact on next‑gen space infrastructure; early‑stage equity upside.

## Sources
1. [gravitics.com](https://www.gravitics.com/)
2. [gravitics.com/careers](https://www.gravitics.com/careers)
3. [gravitics.com/team](https://www.gravitics.com/team)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/gravitics)
5. [sbir.gov](https://www.sbir.gov/portfolio/2450193)

## Other roles at Gravitics, Inc

- [Strategic Communications Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/strategic-communications-manager-gravitics-inc-remote-dxexfe339myk)
- [System Safety & Risk Assurance Engineer (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/system-safety-risk-assurance-engineer-contract-gravitics-inc-remote-7k4s63ek63dx)
- [Executive Assistant (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-contract-gravitics-inc-denver-k9qqe1sf0bvp) — Denver, CO
- [Senior Power Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-power-systems-engineer-gravitics-inc-marysville-82d4rhew1may) — Marysville, WA
- [Avionics Integration & Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-integration-test-engineer-gravitics-inc-marysville-jp5baxkv2s49) — Marysville, WA
- [Senior Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-gravitics-inc-seattle-9reshssh4ts4) — Seattle, WA
- [Senior Program Manager – Spacecraft](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-program-manager-spacecraft-gravitics-inc-marysville-ztwnk8t2qt6z) — Marysville, WA
- [Amazing Candidate](https://feeny.ai/job/amazing-candidate-gravitics-inc-seattle-3knpr9t5c5et) — Seattle, WA
- [Tooling Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/tooling-engineer-gravitics-inc-seattle-9xy29hz5wxzr) — Seattle, WA / Denver, CO
- [Structures Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/structures-analyst-gravitics-inc-seattle-f3f8jemjpdr8) — Seattle, WA