Fracture Control Engineer

Amentum•Houston, TX

14h•Onsite

About The Position

The Fracture Control Engineer will serve as a subject-matter expert responsible for defining, implementing, and verifying fracture control processes for spaceflight hardware for Moon Base programs and other NASA programs. The work includes fracture mechanics analysis; reviewing and interpreting fracture control plans; classifying parts for fracture control; coordinating nondestructive evaluation (NDE); and supporting design, test, and qualification campaigns across projects. The engineer will assess flight hardware against NASA fracture control requirements, applicable standards, and program-specific criteria. They will collaborate with design, stress analysis, materials, quality assurance, NDE, and program safety/mission assurance teams throughout the hardware lifecycle. The role also supports technical reviews, anomaly resolution, and risk assessments related to fracture issues. This position is advertised at multiple levels, and candidates may be considered at any level for which it is posted, depending on their experience, requirements, and business needs. A U.S. citizenship or permanent residency proof may be required, and candidates must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Materials Science, or Aerospace Engineering.
At least 5 years of professional experience in fracture control, stress/fracture analysis, materials and processes engineering, structural analysis, or related hardware verification.
Strong experience with fracture mechanics principles, fatigue, and damage tolerance assessment.
Familiarity with composite materials, nonmetals, and their fracture behavior, including delamination, matrix cracking, and interlaminar fracture.
Hands-on experience with fracture testing, including toughness, fatigue, and crack propagation testing, and related ASTM or NASA test methods.
Working knowledge of NDE techniques relevant to fracture-critical hardware.
Ability to interpret NASA fracture control requirements, program standards, and certification processes.
Strong technical communication skills and ability to present rationale to multidisciplinary teams and program leadership.
A license or certification may be required.
Ability to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency may be required.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. or other advanced degree.
Previous experience supporting NASA human spaceflight hardware or fracture control processes.
Experience with NASGRO, ABAQUS, Nastran/Patran, or comparable fracture/stress analysis software.

Responsibilities

Review Fracture Control Plans, Fracture Control Summaries, and related documentation for spaceflight hardware.
Perform fracture mechanics assessments, including crack growth analysis, fracture toughness interpretation, and criticality classification.
Review engineering drawings, material specifications, and manufacturing plans for fracture control compliance.
Provide technical direction for fracture testing, including fracture toughness, crack propagation, stress corrosion, and fatigue testing, for metallic, composite, and non-metallic materials.
Collaborate with design engineers, stress analysts, materials engineers, quality assurance, NDE personnel, and program safety/mission assurance to ensure fracture-control compliance across the hardware lifecycle.
Support technical reviews, including PDR, CDR, FRB, ERB, and hazard reviews, by presenting rationale, analysis results, and classification decisions.
Evaluate flight hardware for compliance with NASA fracture control requirements, applicable standards, and program-specific criteria.
Support anomaly resolution, provide technical recommendations, and contribute to risk assessments for fracture-related issues.
Perform other tasks as required.
Work outside the normal schedule and adjust the schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.