--- title: 'Thermal Engineer II at Quantum Space' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/thermal-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-jmdgrr0v7wb7' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-01' --- # Thermal Engineer II at Quantum Space - **Company:** Quantum Space - **Location:** Rockville, MD - **Posted:** 2026-10-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-01 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4470927009 ## Job description Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. Who We’re Looking For We are seeking a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer to contribute to the development, implementation, and validation of thermal control solutions for our spacecraft platforms. In this high-impact role, you will assist in major aspects of spacecraft thermal design, analysis, and verification, working closely with a fast-moving team of engineers and scientists to shape the future of in-space systems. This role is for an engineer who thrives in a startup-paced environment, can take broad responsibility for thermal system performance, while also rolling up their sleeves for hands-on integration and testing. Where You’ll Make an Impact - Develop high-fidelity spacecraft component thermal models for prediction of on-orbit performance - Review, refine, and correlate as-built thermal models and vendor-supplied thermal documentation - Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure spacecraft designs meet thermal requirements - Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test planning, execution, correlation, and troubleshooting - Develop tools, workflows, and standards within the thermal ecosystem to improve efficiency and repeatability of future programs - Generate simplified models, thermal environments, and interface documentation for suppliers and customers - Review and approve component and assembly designs for thermal flight readiness - Produce engineering content and analyses for design reviews, test readiness reviews, and verification reports - Support integration, test, and launch-site operations for spacecraft thermal performance What It Takes - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field - 2+ years of relevant thermal engineering experience (spacecraft strongly preferred) - Advanced proficiency in Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent thermal analysis tools - Experience with spacecraft flight hardware, integration, and thermal vacuum testing - Familiarity with NASA, commercial, and industry standards for spacecraft design - Demonstrated experience correlating thermal models with test data Nice-to-Have Experience - Experience with spacecraft operations, thermal limits, and anomaly resolution - Knowledge of thermal coatings, adhesives, multilayer insulation (MLI), and related materials - Exposure to electrical component thermal modeling and PCB thermal behavior - Experience with heat pipes, loop heat pipes, radiators, and advanced thermal hardware - Understanding of orbital dynamics and thermal environments across varying mission profiles - Prior experience in a fast-paced startup or NewSpace environment ## What You’ll Get - Ownership – Take responsibility for spacecraft thermal system performance, from design and analysis through integration, testing, and flight readiness - Innovation – Support transformative aerospace and defense programs enabling next-generation space mobility and operations - Impact – Help ensure the thermal performance, reliability, and mission success of next-generation spacecraft - Growth – Join a collaborative engineering team working across advanced spacecraft technologies in a fast-paced, innovative environment - Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing Location: Rockville, MD Base Salary: $100,000-140,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. Additional Requirements To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft. ## About Quantum Space ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space. - **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC) - **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure - **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale. ## Products & Services - **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures. - **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence. - **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available. - **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator). - **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger. ## Competitive Advantages - **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits. - **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration. - **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology. - **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures. - **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran. ## Strategic Focus - **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture. - **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC. - **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform. - **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority. - **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts. - **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK). - **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing. - **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations. ## Sources 1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/) 2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about) 3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us) 4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/) 5. 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