Senior Thermal System Engineer
Location: Valencia, Spain
Department: Space Systems
Reports to: Mechanical Engineer Lead
Employment type: Permanent
Workplace model: Hybrid / Office
Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO)
Every ICEYE satellite depends on precision engineering and rock-solid reliability. As we grow our operations and expand our spacecraft platforms to meet increasingly demanding mission requirements, we need an experienced spacecraft thermal control engineer to help lead this effort - someone who also brings hands-on experience testing, verifying, and qualifying space hardware. You'll join our Valencia, Spain team as a Senior Thermal System Engineer, supporting the company's continued growth.
ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.
ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.
ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.
Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1000 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Design and implement full spacecraft-level thermal models for current and next-generation spacecraft
Specify and support qualification testing at subsystem and system level
Own thermal hardware end-to-end: propose new thermal design concepts to improve performance, identify new suppliers, and test and validate component designs
Perform thermal analysis of passive and active thermal control components, electrical assemblies, subsystems, and systems
Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT) activities, including maintenance of thermal control components
Support operations teams in resolving thermal issues during Launch and Early Orbit Operations (LEOP) and beyond
Ensure smooth, on-time product delivery from concept through qualification
Contribute to continuous improvement of our existing products
Partner closely with all hardware engineering domains, AIT engineering, and QA to ensure products meet specification
Work with system and subsystem engineers to define requirements for new products
Collaborate with internal and external engineering and AIT teams during integration and build to confirm thermal solutions meet requirements and targets
Must haves:
6+ years of experience in thermal simulation as a Thermal Engineer in the space industry
Experience with TVAC testing and model correlation
Proactive, self-directed working style
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
Based in Valencia; up to 30% remote work is acceptable for this role
Experience working in multi-disciplinary environments (electrical, AIT, mechanical, propulsion, RF)
Experience with thermal control of satellites at system and subsystem level, or comparable complex aerospace systems
Comfortable working cross-functionally with systems, electrical, and manufacturing teams
Strong teamwork, analytical, documentation, and communication skills
Nice to haves:
Hands-on experience with spacecraft thermal hardware: surface treatments, MLI, passive and active thermal control components, heat pipes
Experience with Systema-Thermica, ESATAN, and/or Thermal Desktop
MSc in Aerospace Engineering
Knowledge of SAR satellite technology, lifecycles, and the space environment
Experience with Python
Familiarity with industry standards such as ECSS and NASA standards
Solid understanding of spacecraft configurations, orbits, and STK
At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win.
Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way.
Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the “why” behind decisions.
See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others.
Drive effective teamwork: Create psychological safety, invite different perspectives, and build inclusive teams. There are no bad questions.
Act as one team: We win together. We match tasks to the right owner and stay agile as priorities shift.
Have fun: What we do matters—and it should be enjoyable. Celebrate progress, take pride in results, and share the wins.
Our benefits are designed to support your health and wellbeing, at work and beyond. We keep improving them based on employee feedback, and offerings vary by location. Talent Acquisition will confirm what applies for this role and location during the process.
We want ICEYE to be a place where people can be themselves and do great work. Different backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, which is why we work to create an environment where people feel included, respected, and able to speak up. Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table.
We’re committed to fair, inclusive hiring and equal opportunity. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, tell us—we’ll do our best to help.
Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com.
