Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer

About the role

Amentum, NASA's largest engineering solutions provider, is offering a part-time Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer position on the JETSII contract. The role provides technical leadership and strategic insight for current and next-generation spacecraft programs, spanning materials innovation, high-temperature testing, thermal modeling and system-level integration.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the external TPS community across commercial and defense TPS development and testing
• Guide TPS development and qualification of advanced TPS materials and coatings for future crewed and uncrewed missions
• Help interpret high-enthalpy testing campaigns (arc jet, ICP torch, etc.) to validate TPS performance
• Support the development and maintenance of a TPS technology roadmap aligned with program goals
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the strategic planning of TPS R&D initiatives

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution
• 15+ years of relevant aerospace engineering experience, with a focus on thermal protection systems
• Proven experience in TPS integration and flight certification, including system-level verification and validation
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary technical reviews and acting as a TPS subject-matter expert for program-level decision boards
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and ability to complete a U.S. government background investigation

Preferred skills

• Knowledge of ablative and reusable TPS materials and hot structure technologies
• Familiarity with post-flight TPS reconstruction, anomaly forensics and correlation of flight data with ground tests
• Ability to act as a technical authority representing the TPS discipline to external stakeholders

What we offer

• Health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement benefits including 401(k) matching
• Educational reimbursement, parental leave, employee stock purchase plan and pet insurance
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off) when applicable, onsite cafeteria and career growth opportunities