Mechanical Project Engineer

Barrios Technology; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Barrios Technology in Houston is seeking a Mechanical Project Engineer to join our JETSII Contract and help deliver spaceflight hardware for NASA's deep space exploration. Barrios is a long‑standing engineering solutions partner supporting NASA centers nationwide with design, analysis, and integration.

You will analyze requirements from customers, develop design solutions, prepare drawings, lead engineers, and coordinate with NASA on design reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 5 years of industrial facility maintenance or related experience.
• Hands-on experience with pumps, motors, blowers, and valves; knowledge of vacuum blowers and mechanical pumps.
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics applied to LN2 cooling loops and high-vacuum pumping systems.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and FMEA to diagnose failures and implement corrective actions.
• Experience managing third-party contractors and vendors during system upgrades and installations.
• Familiar with safety relief valves and how to specify them.
• Organized, self-starter, able to manage tasks with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and MS Office; interpret and revise P&IDs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze requirements from customers and develop design solutions.
• Design, develop, test, implement, and analyze technical products and systems.
• Perform engineering designs and evaluations for thermal vacuum space simulation testing.
• Produce engineering drawings conforming to JPR 8500 and other standards.
• Oversee installation or fabrication of engineering products and coordinate technicians.
• Coordinate and lead Mechanical Engineering designers, stress engineers and drawing checkers.
• Prepare engineering specifications, statements of work, and procurement documentation.
• Prepare, submit, and track procurement, inspection, fabrication and installation into test chambers.
• Collaborate with NASA Pressure Systems to complete design reviews.

Skills

Pumps, motors, and valves

Vacuum systems

Thermodynamics & fluid mechanics

RCA & FMEA

Project management

AutoCAD

Creo / Inventor

MS Office

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Creo

Inventor

MS Office

P&IDs interpretation

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!

Barrios Technology is an engineering solutions partner with more than 45 years of experience supporting NASA and the commercial space industry. We deliver innovative engineering, software, and technology integration services across NASA centers nationwide. Barrios prides itself on a people‑focused culture that values creativity, diversity, professional growth, and a healthy work‑life balance.

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 are seeking a Mechanical Project Engineer to join our JETSII Contract with Barrios, a teammate company.

• Work in a team environment to analyze requirements from customers and develop design solutions.
• Design, develop, test, implement, and analyze technical products and systems.
• Perform engineering designs and evaluations for thermal vacuum space simulation testing.
• Produce engineering drawings conforming to JPR 8500 and other applicable standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot facility systems and instruct technicians on repair solutions.
• Collaborate with NASA Pressure Systems to complete Pressure Systems Design Reviews.
• Prepare and present designs at various engineering design reviews.
• Prepare work authorizing documents (WADs) required to support the installation of hardware into human in the loop vacuum/thermal vacuum chambers.
• Apply engineering principles and techniques to create solutions to equipment, building, and infrastructure challenges.
• Prepare engineering specifications, statements of work, and estimates for a wide range of facility‑related projects.
• Prepare, submit & track all phases of procurement, inspection, fabrication & installation into the facility and test chambers.
• Coordinate and lead Mechanical Engineering designers, stress engineers and drawing checkers to complete detailed fabrication drawings.
• Express good leadership qualities, be highly motivated, well organized, and capable of working within a closely‑knit team.
• Ability to oversee and direct technicians while performing installation or fabrication of engineering products.
• Express good leadership qualities, be highly motivated, well organized and ability to work independently.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, plus five (5) years of industrial facility maintenance experience or in the field or related area.
• Hands‑on experience with pumps, motors, blowers, and valves, plus technical knowledge of vacuum blowers, mechanical pumps, and configuration control.
• Apply core principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to optimize the performance and efficiency of Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) cooling loops and high‑vacuum pumping systems.
• Proven record utilizing formal engineering methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and FMEA to diagnose failures and implement long‑term corrective actions.
• Experience managing third‑party contractors and vendors during system upgrades, shutdowns, and facility installations.
• Familiar with principal operations of safety relief valves and how to specify them.
• Highly organized self‑starter capable of managing tasks and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and MS Office Suite, with the ability to interpret and revise Process and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferences

• Strength in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, thermal design or thermal analysis.
• Candidates with direct experience in NASA/JSC processes and [JPR 1710.13] compliance.
• Strong background in safety standards, including OSHA, NFPA, and ASME Section VIII for pressure systems.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software (Creo or Inventor) is highly valued.
• Excellent communication skills for delivering presentations to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Experience following schedules within Microsoft Project.
• Must be able to support mission‑critical tasks in specialized environments and maintain a flexible schedule.

Essential Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Applicant selected may be subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Work may involve sitting for extended periods.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.
• Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary.
• Generally, an office environment but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.).
• 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 when required.
• Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must put forward a 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.
• This position may require some commuting and traveling to other installations as needed.

Barrios Technology is a drug‑free workplace, which is imperative to the health and safety of all employees and is required as a condition of receiving contracts from federal agencies. Please remember that regardless of the legalization of marijuana in several states, possession and use continues to be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This includes the use of some CBD products. A post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test is a condition of employment.

Barrios Technology is an Equal Employment Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.