Electrostatics Specialist Engineer - Space Exploration Avionics Systems

Amentum; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Amentum is seeking an Electrostatics Specialist Engineer to advance space exploration avionics systems in Houston. You will lead analyses of charging environments, develop electrostatic models, and support design verification for space and ground vehicles.

Responsibilities include ESD protection evaluation, high‑voltage testing, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to mitigate electrostatic risks in mission‑critical systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics or Materials and a minimum of 7 years of job-related experience.
• Lead and perform analysis of spacecraft charging environments and discharge risk.
• Develop and validate electrostatic models for space vehicles and ground vehicles.
• Design and support high‑voltage discharge and plasma testing.
• Familiarity with NASA-STD-4003, NASA-HDBK-4002, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject‑matter expert in high‑charging environments for space systems.
• Evaluate circuits and box level designs for ESD protection.
• Report to Electronics and Electrical Section Manager within a team of 45+ engineers.
• Lead laboratory and field testing including high‑voltage discharge testing.
• Translate stakeholder insights into system‑level electrostatic risk assessments.

Skills

Spacecraft charging analysis

ESD mitigation

Electrostatic modeling

Laboratory testing

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics or Materials

Tools

EMA-3D Charge

Ansys HFSS

LT-Spice

NASCAP Spacecraft Charging

Job description

Are you passionate about human space exploration and avionics development? Join our diverse, mission‑driven team!

We need your creativity, teamwork, and diverse perspectives to help build systems that enable space exploration and benefit life on Earth. Join us as we tackle exciting challenges for NASA’s deep‑space missions. Amentum is NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider, working together with centers across the United States.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Electrostatics Specialist Engineer - Space Exploration Avionics Systems to join the Engineering division with Bastion, a teammate company!

As anElectrostatics Specialist Engineer,you will:

• 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

Requisition Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and normally possess 5- 10 years of related experience. License and certification may be required.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics or Materials from an accredited engineering school and a minimum of 7 years of job-related experience or equivalent.
• 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.

Requisition Preferences

• 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.

Why Join Our Team?

• 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 www.wehavespaceforyou.com

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
• Must be able tocomplete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.

Essential Functions

Work Environment

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.

Physical Requirements

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).

Equipment and Machines

Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).

Attendance

Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Other Essential Functions

Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

#JETS #JETSII

Compensation Details

EN3-ESS

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good‑faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting

09/27/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters