Mechanical Design Engineer (Welding and Manufacturing)

Amentum•Huntsville, AL

22h•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports Amentum Space Exploration Division’s work with NASA’s EM32 Welding & Manufacturing team under the ESSCA contract to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Directorate. The engineer develops reusable tooling for aerospace manufacturing development projects, with emphasis on fixtures for friction stir and fusion welding, jigs, and lifting and handling tools. Tooling strategies should accommodate a variety of development projects, with cost and time to develop or adapt, manufacture, assemble, and integrate tooling as primary considerations. The selected candidate applies engineering principles and judgment to conventional and specialized assignments, adapting standard methods and developing new approaches as needed. The role may represent the organization at technical meetings and conferences and may guide or receive support from other engineers, scientists, or technicians. The position is performed entirely on-site at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, with work split between an office and an industrial welding, manufacturing development laboratory, or machine shop. The normal schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; minimal overtime may be required. Infrequent travel may be necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, or a related field, from an ABET-accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Typical education and experience: a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience, or a master’s degree with at least 3 years of experience.
Demonstrated experience developing fixture design concepts, jigs, and lifting/handling tools in an aerospace manufacturing development environment.
Ability to develop long-term tooling strategies that accommodate a variety of development projects.
Ability to obtain and maintain permission to operate customer-owned vehicles for work activities.
Valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance, and successful completion of company defensive driving training.
Ability to obtain and maintain the customer Welding Safety certification.
Ability to interact effectively with coworkers, managers, and clients and to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work on-site at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center and comply with applicable laboratory safety requirements.
Ability to lift and/or maneuver materials or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make rational decisions using good judgment.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with NASA-STD-5006, General Fusion Welding Requirements for Aerospace Materials Used in Flight Hardware.
Previous experience with MSFC-SPEC-3679, Process Specification – Welding Aerospace Hardware.
Previous experience with ANSI/AWS D17.1/D17.1M:2010-AMD1, Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications.
Previous experience with NASA-STD-8719.9, Standard for Lifting Devices and Equipment.
Previous experience with MPR 6430.1-1, Lifting Equipment and Operations, or its predecessor MWI 6430.1G-1.

Responsibilities

Develop fixture design concepts to position and hold components during friction stir and/or fusion welding operations, including fixture structure, alignment to welding machines, part interfaces, and automation mechanics.
Ensure parts remain properly positioned and aligned under expected process forces and meet manufacturing requirements.
Provide necessary tool clearances for manufacturing operations and control fixture thermal characteristics to support satisfactory results.
Develop jig design concepts and lifting and handling tool design concepts for Welding & Manufacturing team operations.
Plan for the safe assembly, integration, and use of fixtures, jigs, and tools.
Mentor junior engineers in modeling and analyzing tooling and preparing drawings, parts lists, assembly plans, and operating procedures.
Exchange ideas and information and provide technical advice concerning tooling matters.
Develop tooling experiments to evaluate new concepts.
Help Welding & Manufacturing team customers understand and resolve tooling problems.
Represent the organization at technical meetings and conferences as appropriate.
Work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment.