Senior Mechanical Engineer, Thermal Protection Systems

Canopy A&D•Cape Canaveral, FL

2d•$130,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the end-to-end design and delivery of novel Thermal Protection Systems (TPS). The role works closely with aerothermal, structures, design, materials, test, and manufacturing teams to transition TPS concepts from simulation to physical, flight-ready hardware for space and hypersonic platforms. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, comfortable working amid ambiguity, and able to lead projects through completion. The engineer will own TPS components and subassemblies from requirements definition through hardware delivery; lead material trade studies; translate heat fluxes and aerodynamic loads into mechanical designs; develop CAD models, drawings, and interface control documents; support manufacturing and testing; and use test data to inform design iterations. The role also serves as a technical subject-matter expert in TPS and contributes to proposals and new products that support the organization's technical capabilities and strategic defense growth. The position is full-time, based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with travel of up to 25%. The stated salary range is $130,000–$180,000. Work may take place in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.

Requirements

At least 4 years of direct, verifiable experience designing and owning TPS components or assemblies qualified through flight or high-enthalpy testing, such as testing at NASA Ames or AEDC arc-jet facilities.
Comprehensive knowledge of TPS materials and architectures, including thermal blankets, ablative carbon composites, rigid ceramics, and cryogenic insulation for re-entry and hypersonic environments.
Full-lifecycle hardware design experience from concept through manufacturing, including 3D CAD modeling, drawing release, and application of GD&T.
Strong technical foundation in structural mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and ablation mechanics.
Demonstrated ability to deliver hardware on accelerated schedules using pragmatic, creative engineering solutions.
Strong interdisciplinary communication skills and ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly across cross-functional teams.
Active Secret clearance or higher, or ability to obtain and maintain one, including meeting U.S. government background and export-control requirements.
Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lb and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
Visual acuity to read technical drawings, inspect components, and operate precision instruments.
Ability to travel occasionally to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, while following company and OSHA safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
Direct ownership of a TPS system that successfully operated and survived in a flight environment.
Experience designing, testing, or integrating re-entry systems, launch vehicles, or hypersonic platforms.
Experience planning and estimating complex projects, preparing bids and Basis of Estimates (BOEs), and developing technical schedules that were successfully executed.
Proven record of writing and winning IRAD and/or CRAD proposals.
Experience interfacing directly with government (DoW, NASA) and commercial customers to define requirements and deliver technical updates.
Experience and comfort interfacing with, auditing, and managing suppliers in the TPS and advanced materials sectors.
Strong background working in the defense sector.
Familiarity with space and defense standards such as SMS-S-016, MIL-STD-810, and the NASA-GSFC-7000 series, or equivalent standards for design, analysis, and testing of defense articles.

Responsibilities

Own TPS components and subassemblies end to end, from initial requirements definition through final hardware delivery.
Lead material trade studies that balance thermal survivability, structural integrity, and manufacturing realities for hypersonic regimes.
Collaborate with aerothermal, design, materials, and test teams to translate heat flux and aerodynamic loads into robust mechanical designs.
Develop detailed CAD models, drawings, and interface control documents; work directly with the manufacturing floor to ensure parts are built to specification.
Support testing campaigns, including arc-jet testing; rapidly reduce raw data and draw conclusions to guide design iterations.
Serve as the TPS subject-matter expert and maintain knowledge of current and emerging technologies.
Lead technical sections of proposals and new products that enhance organizational technical capabilities and support strategic defense growth.