Thermal Protection Systems Engineer - Space Systems

Job Description

Under limited supervision, the Mechanical Design Engineer III or IV will be responsible for designing, developing, testing, implementing, and analyzing technical products and systems. This role focuses on Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) related softgoods products, mechanical/electromechanical hardware, and flight hardware crucial for NASA/Aerospace customers. The engineer will contribute to projects involving vehicles launched to low-earth orbit, cis-lunar orbit, and lunar surfaces.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Detailed Design: Develop softgoods, mechanical, and electromechanical systems, subsystems, and components for thermal protection of cargo and human-rated flight vehicles.

Engineering Analysis: Apply engineering principles to conduct stress, thermal, and fluid dynamics analysis ensuring desired fit, form, and function.

Technical Excellence: Maintain high-quality standards across tasks including test setups, operations, documentation, and closeout.

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T): Perform part tolerance analysis to ensure compatibility with thermal environments.

Material Expertise: Utilize knowledge of Aerospace-grade materials for lightweight, high-strength TPS applications.

Interface Design: Develop interface drawings defining mechanical and thermal system interactions.

Test Fixture Design: Create unique test fixtures and methods to support test programs.

Documentation: Generate specifications, verification procedures, and system documentation.

Presentation Skills: Communicate design concepts effectively at design gate reviews.

Collaboration: Work in cross-functional teams including Design/Drafting, Analysis, Production, Quality Assurance, Project/Program Management, etc.

Manufacturing Knowledge: Ensure designs are manufacturable at a reasonable cost.

Analysis: Conduct structural and thermal analysis to validate designs under anticipated environments.

Risk Assessment: Perform technical and safety risk assessments and mitigation.

Qualifications:

Required:

BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

3-5+ years of direct experience in Thermal Protection Systems development for launch vehicles and systems.

Experience in softgoods thermal protection systems design and fabrication methods.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

US Citizenship required.

Preferred:

Proficiency in CAD modeling (SolidWorks or Pro-E Creo).

Familiarity with ASME Y14.5 and/or NASA Engineering Drawing System Manual JSC JPR 8500.

Knowledge of JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755).

Experience with spacecraft thermal protection systems.

Familiarity with assembly procedures, technical reports, and testing methods (thermal, structural, life testing).

Experience with LabVIEW.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We value diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factors.