Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer

Amentum•Houston, TX

15d

About The Position

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you! We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA's pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA's largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States. We are seeking a part-time Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer to provide technical leadership and strategic insight in support of current and next-generation spacecraft programs to join the JETSII Contract. This role is ideal for a subject matter expert with a strong background in TPS design, analysis, and testing, and a proven track record of contributing to mission-critical aerospace systems. As a senior technical contributor, you will help shape the direction of TPS technology development, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and provide expert guidance during high-stakes decision-making for NASA programs. The scope of this position spans materials innovation, high-temperature testing, thermal modeling, and system-level integration. We are actively searching for qualified candidates for this potential opening; however, we do not have assurance at this time when the position will be finalized and opened. Because we have strong reason to believe the position will be approved soon, we are proceeding with identifying qualified candidates and conducting interviews.

Requirements

Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a BS with at least 15 years of experience.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
15+ years of relevant experience in aerospace engineering, with a focus on thermal protection systems.
Extensive experience in TPS design, analysis, and testing, with a deep understanding of material behavior in high-enthalpy environments.
Demonstrated excellence in technical communication, including the ability to defend complex analyses and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
Proven experience in TPS integration and flight certification, including system-level verification and validation processes.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of aerothermal environments, including high-temperature gas dynamics and radiative heat transfer.
Familiarity with CFD tools and interpretation of flowfield data for TPS boundary conditions.
Familiarity with thermal response modeling using tools such as CHAR, FIAT, or PATO.
Familiarity with 3D modeling and CAD tools for TPS design and integration.
Hands-on experience with ablative and reusable TPS materials, as well as hot structure technologies.
Proven ability to lead or manage complex spacecraft systems or subsystems.
Comfortable serving as the technical authority during mission operations, including rapid decision-making under pressure.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and qualification of advanced TPS materials and coatings to meet the demands of future crewed and uncrewed missions.
Oversee and interpret high-enthalpy testing campaigns (arc jet, ICP torch, etc.) to validate TPS performance under extreme conditions.
Develop and maintain the TPS technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with program goals and future mission needs.
Serve as a technical focal point for TPS-related mission operations, including real-time anomaly resolution and risk assessment.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the strategic planning of TPS R D initiatives.
Collaborate across disciplines to ensure TPS integration aligns with vehicle-level thermal, structural, and aerodynamic requirements.