Electrostatics Specialist Engineer - Space Exploration

Bastion Technologies, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bastion Technologies, Inc. seeks an Electrostatics Specialist Engineer (Space Exploration) to lead spacecraft charging analyses and ESD mitigation for mission-critical space vehicles in Houston, TX. You will develop models, evaluate materials, and support tests to ensure reliability across flight and ground systems.

The role requires advanced knowledge of electrostatics, discharge risk, and materials behavior, with strong collaboration across engineering teams and leadership of complex analyses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics or materials.
• 5+ years of related work experience.
• US Citizenship or Permanent Resident status due to sensitive information.
• Experience in space industry or DoD/DoW.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert in high‑charging environments for spacecraft charging analyses.
• Evaluate surface charging, internal charging, plasma interactions, and discharge risk.
• Develop and validate electrostatic models for space and ground vehicles.
• Design and support lab/field testing: high‑voltage discharge, plasma chamber, triboelectric tests, ESD characterization.
• Communicate electrostatics concepts and mitigation strategies clearly.

Skills

Spacecraft charging

ESD mitigation

Surface potentials

Electrostatics

Test & measurement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/materials

Master's degree in engineering/physics/materials

Tools

EMA-3D Charge

Ansys HFSS

LT-Spice

NASCAP Spacecraft Charging

Job description

The Electrostatics Specialist Engineer (Space Exploration) will support the space program located in Houston, Texas (77058).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert in high‑charging environments, with primary responsibilities in spacecraft charging analysis, surface potentials, electrostatic discharge (ESD) mitigation, materials evaluation, and vehicle‑level electrostatic risk assessments.
• Supports engineering teams developing spacecraft, rovers, or other platforms where electrostatic phenomena present mission, safety, or performance risks.
• Show deep experience in high‑charge generation, discharge mitigation, and advanced materials behavior.
• Evaluate circuits and box level designs for ESD protection.
• Report directly to the Electronics and Electrical Section Manager as part of group of over 45 other Electronics and Electrical Engineers.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED:

This position has been posted at multiple levels (must meet minimum level indicated). 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.

• This position requires US Citizenship or Permanent Resident status due to the sensitivity of customer related information.
• This position requires experience in the space industry or Department of Defense/Department of War.
• Must have a bachelor's degree in the field of engineering, physics or materials.
• Must have 5+ years of recent and related work experience.
• Lead and perform analysis of spacecraft charging environments, including surface charging, internal charging, differential potentials, plasma interactions, and discharge event risk.
• Develop and validate electrostatic models to support design, verification, and certification of space vehicles, and ground vehicles.
• Design and support laboratory and field testing, including high‑voltage discharge testing, plasma chamber testing, triboelectric charge measurements, and ESD characterization testing.
• Knowledge, understanding and application of NASA-STD-4003, NASA-HDBK-4002, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461 as applied to spacecraft.
• Strong communications and analytical skills; working knowledge of computer systems and integrated software application programs.

DESIRED:

• Master's degree in engineering, physics or materials from an accredited engineering school.
• Experience with EMA-3D Charge, Ansys HFSS, LT-Spice, NASCAP Spacecraft Charging Software tools.
• Understanding of different Orbits and how that applied to Spacecraft Charging Environments.
• Evaluate materials for charge accumulation, dissipation, and susceptibility to ESD, including coatings, polymers, composites, thermal blankets, and wiring insulation.
• Assess electronic parts, circuits, and systems to evaluate electrostatic risks, mitigation effectiveness, and ability to meet performance and reliability requirements.
• Define and recommend mitigation strategies such as bonding schemes, conductive coatings, passivation techniques, and operational constraints.
• Conduct ESD hazard assessments for aerospace systems, triboelectric charging during flight, and vehicle‑level discharge pathways.
• Provide electrostatics expertise across multidisciplinary teams and translate stakeholder insights into system‑level risk assessments and models.
• Review design changes and mission concepts for electrostatic implications, contributing to risk analysis and anomaly investigations.
• Familiarity with systems engineering and integration (S&EI) and/or specialty engineering for NASA spaceflight (or similar complexity).
• Analyze and interpret complex avionics design products including schematics, block diagrams, component specifications, parts lists, fault tree analysis, etc.
• Experience with test hardware such as oscilloscopes, multi-meters, logic analyzers, function generators, electronic load banks, power supplies, power and analyzers.
• Clearly communicate electrostatic concepts, risks, and mitigation strategies.

WORK LOCATION:

• This position is located onsite and offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off; some travel may be required.
• Schedules are subject to change based on the requirements of the position and/or customer needs.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED:

All Bastion employees must be able to pass a national agency check and some positions require clearance and will require an extensive background verification/check process.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING REQUIRED:

All Bastion employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and are required to participate in periodic random drug and alcohol screenings.

STANDARD BASTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and TEAMS.
• All of Bastion's employees must be team players with strong work ethics and must be culture oriented.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, with internal and external customers.
• Able to follow company programs, processes, procedures, practices, requirements, goals, and objectives.
• Must be organized with good time management skills and must be able to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.
• Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.
• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time) and may require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time).
• Regular attendance in accordance with an established work schedule is critical.

BASTION BENEFITS:

• Medical
• Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• AD&D
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Retirement 401k
• Vacation
• Sick pay
• Holidays
• Flexible work schedules (when available)
• Many other options
• We also support career advancement through professional training and development

ABOUT BASTION:

Bastion offers career opportunities with competitive benefits, exciting possibilities for advancement, and an exceptional work environment; the well-being of our employees is a priority, and our flexibility allows our employees a great work life balance. Our culture is based on strong business ethics, integrity, and professionalism. Our team members are known for their initiative and high-quality work. When it comes to our employees, we value, respect, and help them grow in their careers.

WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE:

At Bastion, we are passionate about our people and our safety culture. Individual thoughts, opinions, and perspectives bring value and help us develop solutions for challenging problems, they make us more inventive, and more resilient.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Bastion participates in e-Verify.

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