Automation & Process Engineer – TPS Materials - R0161199

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED), a primary contractor for NASA since 1989, is comprised of 10 companies and is located at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes wellness programs, 11 paid holidays, parental leave, paid time off, employee perks and much more. With these benefits, plus the option for flexible schedules and possible remote a few days a week (depending on customer requirements) we’ll support you as you pursue a balanced, fulfilling life—at work and at home.

The Non Metallic Materials and Space Environmental Effects Team is seeking an automation focused Process Engineer to modernize, optimize, and support manufacturing processes associated with aerospace Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials. This role emphasizes workflow design, digital manufacturing execution, MES configuration, automation readiness, and cross disciplinary coordination. The engineer will partner closely with TPS engineers, technicians, project teams, and quality organizations to ensure manufacturing workflows, work orders, and digital travelers are efficient, accurate, and aligned with engineering intent.

While not a supervisory role, this position works hands on with technicians throughout all manufacturing steps to drive process consistency, quality, and automation integration.

• Serve as the primary workflow and MES process planning focal for TPS manufacturing, developing efficient, well structured routing steps, digital travelers, and automated work sequences.
• Build, configure, and maintain TPS process plans, job travelers, checklists, and MES logic within Solumina (or similar systems) to guide technicians through foam spraying, coatings, pour foam operations, adhesive bonding, surface preparation, and related tasks.
• Identify automation opportunities—improving task sequencing, reducing manual data entry, integrating equipment data, and enhancing digital traceability.
• Support the programming, troubleshooting, and operation of automated equipment; experience with robotics (Fanuc preferred) or willingness to develop proficiency.
• Collaborate with technicians and TPS engineers on the manufacturing floor to resolve workflow issues, improve process readiness, and support real time troubleshooting.
• Monitor the progress of ongoing TPS work, communicating schedule risks, resource constraints, MES issues, and material availability to engineering and project leadership.
• Document process deviations, lessons learned, and improvement opportunities; drive corrective actions and digital process updates.

• Participate in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and process planning meetings as the TPS manufacturing representative.
• Work with TPS engineers to evaluate new materials, equipment, robotics, or process changes; translating them into updated MES workflows.
• Support the development and revision of fixtures, tools, and automation related manufacturing aids for TPS operations.
• Facilitate alignment between engineering intent, automation/MES configurations, technician execution, quality requirements, and customer expectations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the TPS lab and manufacturing areas.