Thermal Protection System (TPS) Spacecraft Technician, Associate

ASRC Federal•Merritt Island, FL

About The Position

ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™ ASRC Federal System Solutions (AFSS) is seeking a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Technician Associate to support Orion spacecraft processing operations at Kennedy Space Center. This role is primarily focused on soft goods TPS (MLI and thermal barriers) supporting fabrication, installation, and validation of flight hardware, with secondary responsibilities supporting hard goods TPS (tile systems). This position plays a key role in ensuring thermal protection integrity for crewed spaceflight, operating within a precision-driven ATLO environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
0–2 years of hands-on fabrication or technical experience
Ability to perform precision assembly and sewing/fabrication tasks
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Ability to work in a production and flight hardware environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with MLI, thermal barriers, or soft goods fabrication
Experience operating industrial sewing equipment
Familiarity with spacecraft processing or cleanroom environments
Exposure to TPS tile systems (secondary skillset)

Responsibilities

Fabricate, assemble, and install Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and thermal barrier systems for Orion flight hardware
Set up and operate industrial sewing machines for precision soft goods fabrication
Perform and support thermal barrier bonding operations
Review and validate MLI and thermal barrier procedures, drawings, and work instructions
Support on-vehicle and off-vehicle installation (Aeroshells, Hatches, Heatshield)
Assist in development and execution of MLI/soft goods flow plans within the ATLO environment
Perform surface preparation and bonding operations in accordance with strict quality requirements
Assist with tile installation, bonding, and repair activities
Support gap filler and closeout tile operations
Aid in tile removal, reinstallation, and validation processes
Contribute to tile bond plan reviews and process validation efforts
Work from engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions
Support instrumentation installation and integration activities
Utilize standard aerospace assembly tools and materials
Perform modifications, rework, inspections, and quality testing
Maintain strict adherence to cleanliness, contamination control, and flight hardware handling requirements
Support production flow, risk reduction, and mission assurance effort