Mechanical Design Chief Engineer, Space Exploration Applications

Amentum; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Mechanical Design Chief Engineer for Space Exploration Applications in Houston, TX. The role reports to the Design and Analysis Group Manager and oversees ~100 engineers across NASA-related programs.

The Chief Engineer will lead design reviews, mentor task leads, manage risks, and ensure technical excellence in hardware design, integration, and testing for space exploration missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• 10–15 years of related experience typically required.
• NASA/JSC mechanical flight hardware experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical oversight of ~100 engineers across NASA-related projects.
• Conduct design reviews for cost, schedule and risk.
• Mentor and guide mechanical design leads and teams.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PTC CREO

Pro/ENGINEER

SolidWorks

MS Project

Job description

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 aMechanical Design Chief Engineer, Space Exploration Applicationsto join the team!

** We are actively searching for qualified candidates for this potential opening; however, we do not have assurance at this time when the position will be finalized and opened. Because we have strong reason to believe the position will be approved soon, we are proceeding with identifying qualified candidates and conducting interviews. **

TheMechanical Design Chief Engineer, Space Exploration Applicationswill:

• Report directly to the Design and Analysis Group Manager. The position is responsible for the direct technical oversight of approximately 100 people involved in various aspects of Mechanical System Development across and in support of several NASA Engineering Divisions.
• Perform routine mechanical design reviews for cost, schedule, risk management, and deliverable adherence.
• Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads.
• Work with mechanical design task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance.
• Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform design engineers.
• Lead team to conduct troubleshooting, fault tree development and provide technical resolution for anomalies in mechanical systems.
• Maintain active related risk management (technical, cost, and schedule) on all associated mechanical tasks.
• Communicate design status to senior management.
• Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple NASA JSC and JETS contract organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc.
• Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by the design section.
• Conduct design reviews to monitor technical correctness, design project health, and progress.
• Understand and be capable of generating comprehensive design concepts based on a given set of requirements.
• Work with engineers to provide hands‑on approach in the hardware design, build and test/verification process.
• Provide rough orders of magnitude (ROM's) and basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks.
• Provide quick technical and administrative response to projects, removing roadblocks to ensure project success and customer satisfaction.
• Work as a Project Technical Design Lead as required to supplement or replace current design lead function.
• Review, develop or update Mechanical Design and Development processes as required.
• Develop succession plan mentoring future Chief Engineers and Technical Design Leads.
• Develop technical training modules as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

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 requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and may be expected to have a related master’s degree and normally possess 10-15 years of related experience.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience with NASA/JSC Mechanical flight intravehicular and extravehicular hardware development processes.
• Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO, Pro Engineering or Solidworks.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards
• Experience with ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards
• Experience with tolerance stack up analysis.
• Familiarity with mechanisms design.
• Familiarity with electronics packaging and cabling.
• Prior experience with down and in mechanical component design (including large structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, fluid systems etc.)
• Previous project or technical team/task management experience required
• Familiarity with NASA Work Instruction EA-023, JSC Policy Directive 7120 (Class 1E), along with flight hardware certification and other flight hardware processes.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills with the ability to work in a team environment and a history of effectively interacting with senior managers at all levels.
• Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
• Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.

Requisition Preferences:

• BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Familiarization with JSC Engineering Drawing System Manual (JPR 8500).
• Familiarization with JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755).
• Familiarity with mechanical design for EMI/EMC and electrical bonding methods.
• Familiarity with mechanical design for fluid and pressure systems.
• Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) programs.
• Prior experience with CREO simulation tools.
• Prior experience with add‑on CREO Tools such as DFM Pro, CETOL, EZTOL or MBDVidia
• Prior experience in NASA payload system mechanical design
• Understanding of surface finishes and material selection.
• Exposure to Model Based Design methods and software tools
• Exposure to Pro/CABLING.
• Prior experience with a wide range of technical approaches and theory for the associated design discipline.

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 www.wehavespaceforyou.com

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
• Must be able to complete 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

EN4-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.

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.