Senior Thermal Protection Systems; TPS Engineer

Position: Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer
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 have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer to join the JETSII Contract.

We are seeking a Senior Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Engineer to provide technical leadership and strategic insight in support of current and next-generation spacecraft programs. 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.

Key Responsibilities:

* Act as a focal point for coordinating the external TPS community across commercial and defense TPS development and testing

* Provide expert guidance on TPS development and qualification of advanced TPS materials and coatings to meet the demands of future crewed and uncrewed missions.

* Assist with interpreting high-enthalpy testing campaigns (arc jet, ICP torch, etc.) to validate TPS performance under extreme conditions.

* Support development and maintenance of a TPS technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with program goals and future mission needs.

* Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the strategic planning of TPS R&D initiatives.

Requisition

Qualifications:

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.

* 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

* Proven experience in TPS integration and flight certification, including system-level verification and validation processes.

* Experience supporting multidisciplinary technical reviews and serving as a TPS subject‑matter expert for program‑level decision boards.

Requisition Preferences:

* Deep understanding of current and emerging challenges, gaps, and mission needs driving TPS development for future spacecraft

* Knowledge of the breadth of TPS materials including ablative and reusable TPS materials, as well as hot structure technologies

* Familiarity with post‑flight TPS reconstruction, anomaly forensics, and correlation of flight data with ground‑test results

* Comfortable serving as a technical authority that represents the TPS discipline to external stakeholders / collaborators

Why Join Our Team?

In addition to exciting career opportunities, we also have:

* Excellent personal and professional career growth

* 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable

* Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)

* Much, much more!

For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit

* Proof of U.S.…