Pressure Systems Engineer

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 96,432 - 100,564; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability (Short/Long-term)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Transit benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Pressure Systems Engineer to join a hands-on role in a fast-paced Assembly, Integration, and Test environment for spaceflight hardware. You will lead GSE and test-system development, perform complex pressure and leak testing, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure safety and reliability.

The role focuses on risk assessments, test planning, data analysis, and documentation to support mission-critical hardware, with an onsite Houston, TX setting as a contract-to-hire

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in test engineering.
• Hands-on experience in building, testing, and assembling spaceflight hardware.
• Strong expertise in pressure systems and leak testing, including hands-on leakage and pressure testing.
• Experience with Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), COPVs, and fluid lines.
• Practical knowledge of ANSI standards and ASNT CP-189 requirements.
• Experience with nondestructive testing and leak testing techniques, including mass spectrometry and helium testing.
• Ability to perform engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, and interpretation of test data to evaluate system behavior and performance.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technical issues with test equipment and systems.
• Strong communication skills for conveying technical information, risks, and status updates to diverse engineering and program stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the design, development, and deployment of GSE and test systems for space station hardware, with emphasis on pressure, leak, and fluid testing.
• Develop, build, and execute complex test operations to verify system functionality, performance, and safety for spaceflight hardware.
• Perform hands-on integration, assembly, and commissioning of test systems, ensuring operational readiness and minimizing impacts to test schedules.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and support hazard analyses, safety reviews, and test readiness reviews for critical test activities.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues with existing test equipment and infrastructure to enable efficient and repeatable test operations.
• Utilize engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, and test tools to evaluate system behavior, predict performance, and validate test results.
• Lead and contribute to post-test reviews, data analysis efforts, and the creation of comprehensive test reports and technical documentation.
• Partner with technicians, designers, and cross-functional teams to build, validate, and improve robust test systems.
• Provide clear communication on project status, risks, test progress, and schedule impacts to engineering leadership.
• Support Agile project management practices to drive planning, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct hands-on leakage and pressure testing, including helium-based methods, on spaceflight hardware.
• Contribute to special projects and other responsibilities to support mission objectives.

Job description

Job Title: Pressure Systems Engineer

Job Description

The Pressure Systems Engineer plays a hands-on role in a fast-paced Assembly, Integration, and Test environment, developing and executing pressure system and leak-testing operations for spaceflight hardware and space station equipment to ensure functionality, performance, and safety. Working closely with technicians and cross-functional engineering teams, this engineer conducts risk assessments, supports test planning and reviews, troubleshoots issues, analyzes performance data, and delivers comprehensive documentation to help produce safe, reliable, mission-critical hardware through rigorous testing and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the design, development, and deployment of ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems for space station hardware, with a strong emphasis on pressure, leak, and fluid systems testing.
• Develop, build, and execute complex test operations to verify system functionality, performance, and safety for spaceflight and space station hardware.
• Perform hands-on integration, assembly, and commissioning of test systems, ensuring operational readiness and minimizing impacts to test schedules.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and support hazard analyses, safety reviews, and test readiness reviews for critical test activities.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues with existing test equipment and infrastructure to enable efficient and repeatable test operations.
• Utilize engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, and test tools to evaluate system behavior, predict performance, and validate test results.
• Lead and contribute to post-test reviews, data analysis efforts, and the creation of comprehensive test reports and technical documentation.
• Partner closely with technicians, designers, and cross-functional engineering teams to build, validate, and improve robust, high-quality test systems.
• Provide clear and concise communication on project status, technical risks, test progress, and schedule impacts to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.
• Support the implementation and execution of Agile project management practices to drive efficient project planning, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct hands-on leakage and pressure testing, including helium-based methods, on spaceflight hardware and related systems.
• Contribute to special projects and perform additional responsibilities as required to support mission and program objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in test engineering.
• Hands-on experience in building, testing, and assembling spaceflight hardware.
• Strong expertise in pressure systems and leak testing, including hands-on leakage and pressure testing.
• Experience with Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), and fluid lines.
• Practical knowledge of ANSI standards and ASNT CP-189 requirements.
• Experience with nondestructive testing and leak testing techniques, including mass spectrometry and helium testing.
• Ability to perform engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, and interpretation of test data to evaluate system behavior and performance.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technical issues with test equipment and systems.
• Strong communication skills for conveying technical information, risks, and status updates to diverse engineering and program stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $73.00/hr.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.