Senior TPS Mechanical Engineer - Hypersonics & Space

Canopy A&D; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Canopy A&D in Irvine, CA, is seeking a TPS Systems Engineer to own end-to-end TPS components from concept through flight-ready hardware. In this role you will drive material trade studies balancing thermal survivability, structural integrity, and manufacturability for hypersonic regimes.

You will develop detailed CAD drawings, GD&T, and interfaces with manufacturing, while collaborating with aerothermal, design, materials, and test teams to translate heat flux and aero loads into robust designs.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of direct, verifiable experience designing and owning TPS components or assemblies qualified through flight or high-enthalpy testing.
• Knowledge of TPS materials/architectures: thermal blankets, ablative carbon composites, rigid ceramics, cryogenic insulation.
• Full lifecycle design from concept through manufacturing using 3D CAD, drawing release, and GD&T.
• Strong foundation in structural mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and ablation mechanics.
• Proven track record delivering hardware on accelerated schedules with pragmatic engineering.
• Strong interdisciplinary communication across cross-functional teams.
• U.S. Security Clearance Eligibility: Active Secret clearance (or higher) or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end TPS components from requirements definition to final hardware delivery.
• Lead material trade studies balancing thermal survivability, structural integrity, and manufacturing realities for hypersonic regimes.
• Collaborate with aerothermal, design, materials, and test groups to translate heat flux and aero loads into robust mechanical designs.
• Develop detailed CAD, drawings, ICDs, and interface directly with the manufacturing floor to ensure parts are built to spec.
• Support rigorous testing campaigns such as arc-jet; rapidly perform data reduction and iterate designs from empirical results.
• Serve as the resident SME in the TPS space and maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies.
• Lead technical sections of proposals and new products to enhance capabilities and defense growth.

Skills

TPS design

3D CAD modeling

GD&T

Structural mechanics

Materials science

Thermal analysis

Ablation mechanics

Cross-functional comms

Security clearance

Flight testing

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace (or related)

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

CAD software

Arc-jet testing equipment

Test data analysis tools

Job description

Canopy A&D in Irvine, CA, is seeking a TPS Systems Engineer to own end-to-end TPS components from concept through flight-ready hardware. In this role you will drive material trade studies balancing thermal survivability, structural integrity, and manufacturability for hypersonic regimes.

You will develop detailed CAD drawings, GD&T, and interfaces with manufacturing, while collaborating with aerothermal, design, materials, and test teams to translate heat flux and aero loads into robust designs.