Mechanical Engineer III – Thermal Protection Systems

About the role

The Mechanical Design Engineer III will design, develop, test, implement, and analyze technical products and systems for Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), related textile (softgoods) products, and mechanical/electromechanical hardware. The role supports NASA, military, and commercial aerospace customers, delivering prototypes, test fixtures, test articles, and flight hardware for low‑earth orbit, cis‑lunar, and lunar surface missions.

Key responsibilities

• Perform detailed design of textile, mechanical and electromechanical systems and components used for thermal protection of cargo and crewed vehicles.
• Apply engineering principles to conduct stress, thermal, and fluid‑dynamics analyses and ensure fit, form, and function.
• Generate and review GD&T tolerance analyses, accounting for thermal expansion/contraction.
• Create interface drawings and support development of requirement specifications, verification plans, and hazard analyses.
• Design unique test fixtures and methods, and support test‑program execution.
• Present design concepts and verification results at gate reviews using PowerPoint.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including design, analysis, production, QA, safety, and program management.

Required profile

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with at least 5 years of experience developing mechanical/electromechanical hardware for launch vehicles.
• Experience with Thermal Protection Systems and/or textile design and development is desirable.
• U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency (Green Card) required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Required skills

• CAD modeling and manufacturing drawing generation using SolidWorks or Pro‑E/Creo.
• Proficiency with MathCAD for engineering calculations.
• Knowledge of ASME Y14.5, Y14.24, and Y14.41 drawing standards and GD&T.
• Experience with stress, thermal, and fluid‑dynamics analysis tools.
• Familiarity with aerospace‑grade metallic and non‑metallic material properties.
• LabVIEW for test equipment integration.