Thermal Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Space Tango is an innovative space technology small business based in Lexington, Ky. Space Tango's mission is to manufacture health and technology products in space that create value and transformational solutions. Space Tango provides space-based automated facilities and payloads to support research and development and small-scale manufacturing needs of our partners and customers in the Low Earth Orbit environment and beyond. As a leader in automated systems, Space Tango pursues pathways to on-orbit production. Our vision is to inspire, innovate, and create a better future for humanity by utilizing the environment of space.

The Fluidics & Thermal Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of fluid, thermal, and environmental control systems used within Space Tango's automated spaceflight payloads and facilities. Working closely with cross-functional teams, this role transforms early concepts into manufacturable, testable, and flight-ready systems through thoughtful engineering, analysis, prototype development, and hands-on integration. This role develops fluidics and thermal systems that enable biological research and manufacturing in the unique environment of microgravity. 

Travel may be required to support launches, customer activities, partner integrations, and mission operations.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Design fluid, thermal, and environmental control systems for spaceflight payloads, research systems, and ground support equipment.  
• Develop and maintain mechanical designs in SolidWorks, including part models, assemblies, drawings, and engineering documentation.  
• Design tubing layouts, manifolds, heat exchangers, reservoirs, pumps, valves, fittings, thermal interfaces, insulation, and supporting hardware.  
• Perform engineering analyses related to heat transfer, fluid flow, pressure drop, structural integrity, and thermal performance.  
• Support CFD, thermal, and FEA activities as required to evaluate and optimize system performance.  
• Select components, materials, seals, fittings, tubing, and manufacturing processes appropriate for high-reliability spaceflight applications.  
• Create and review designs with attention to manufacturability, assembly, reliability, cleanliness, material compatibility, and serviceability.  
• Support hands-on assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and testing of fluid and thermal systems.  
• Participate in structural, thermal, environmental, leak, pressure, vibration, and thermal vacuum testing.  
• Work with vendors and internal teams to quote, fabricate, modify, inspect, and receive mechanical components.  
• Support design reviews, engineering analyses, assembly procedures, test plans, and verification activities.  
• Document design decisions through drawings, calculations, test reports, and concise technical documentation.  
• Collaborate with electrical, software, science, manufacturing, and test teams to develop integrated hardware solutions.  
• Learn and apply spaceflight engineering practices, including configuration control, cleanliness, contamination control, safety, and reliability. 

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. 
• Experience designing fluid, thermal, or mechanical systems.  
• Experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.  
• Understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanical design fundamentals.  
• Familiarity with engineering analyses such as thermal analysis, CFD, FEA, or related simulation tools.  
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience assembling, integrating, or troubleshooting engineering hardware.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary engineering teams.  

Preferred: 

• Experience designing fluid systems, thermal control systems, or environmental control systems.  
• Experience with pumps, valves, tubing, fittings, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or thermal management hardware.  
• Experience supporting structural, thermal vacuum, vibration, pressure, leak, or environmental testing.  
• Experience with CFD, thermal analysis, or finite element analysis tools.  
• Experience with aerospace, laboratory automation, life sciences, or precision mechanical systems. 
• Experience supporting prototype development through verification and flight readiness.  
• Familiarity with NASA or aerospace design standards and configuration management practices. 

Interpersonal Skills

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Hands-on approach to engineering and problem solving.
• Ability to identify issues early and develop practical solutions.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and engineering excellence.

Space Tango is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Space Tango is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

This position may require access to technology and information subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain any necessary government authorizations to access and handle controlled technology and data. Candidates must be able to comply with all applicable export control regulations.