TPS Engineer - R0161079

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.

Your growth matters to us—that’s why we offer a variety of ways for you to develop your career. With professional and leadership development opportunities like Team Lead Academy, education reimbursement, mentoring, and company-sponsored networking events, you can take control of your own career path on your own terms with a company that believes in you.

At the Amentum Space Exploration Division, people are at the heart of our business. We reflect a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. We expect our people, clients, and partners to treat one another with dignity and respect. This means promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity, and appreciating the differences we all bring to our workplace.

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 a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Engineer to lead the development, processing, and verification of aerospace thermal protection materials and application methods. This role provides engineering direction for TPS technicians and is responsible for planning, documenting, and overseeing the execution of TPS activities including spray foam application, aerospace coatings, pour foams, adhesives, surface preparation, and machining-related operations.

The TPS Engineer will ensure that all work meets engineering, quality, and safety requirements while supporting flight and development hardware.

• Provide technical leadership and daily guidance to TPS technicians performing foam spraying, coating application, adhesive bonding, surface preparation, masking, and machining operations.
• Develop and maintain engineering process documentation, including work instructions, material process specifications, and verification plans.
• Plan and oversee TPS processing activities, ensuring proper material selection, environmental controls, equipment configuration, and quality compliance.
• Conduct engineering evaluations of TPS materials, including processing trials, cure studies, and application parameter optimization.
• Review technician documentation, verify process adherence, and ensure full traceability of materials and hardware.
• Coordinate with engineers, project leads, and quality representatives to ensure TPS processing meets all program and mission requirements.

• Support troubleshooting of spray equipment, mixing/dispensing systems, and environmental controls, providing engineering direction for corrective actions.
• Perform engineering analyses related to TPS performance, process capability, or material behavior.
• Lead or assist in the design of fixtures, tooling, and test setups used for TPS applications and verification.
• Review hardware for process readiness, including surface condition, masking layout, dimensional checks, and part configuration.
• Participate in design reviews, safety reviews, and customer technical discussions related to TPS materials and processes.
• Recommend and implement process improvements, including material changes, new equipment, or updated procedures.