Senior TPS Technician for Orion Spacecraft

Colonial Group; Florida; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ASRC Federal System Solutions (AFSS) seeks a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Technician Senior to support Orion spacecraft processing operations at Kennedy Space Center. The role focuses on soft goods TPS (MLI and thermal barriers) fabrication, installation, and validation of flight hardware.

You will operate industrial sewing machines, assist in bonding, review procedures, and support on-vehicle and off-vehicle installation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2-4 years of hands-on fabrication or technical experience.
• Ability to perform precision assembly and sewing/fabrication tasks.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to work in a production and flight hardware environment.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, assemble, and install Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and thermal barrier systems for Orion flight hardware
• Set up and operate industrial sewing machines for precision soft goods fabrication
• Perform and support thermal barrier bonding operations
• Review and validate MLI and thermal barrier procedures, drawings, and work instructions
• Support on-vehicle and off-vehicle installation (Aeroshells, Hatches, Heatshield)
• Assist in development and execution of MLI/soft goods flow plans within the ATLO environment
• Perform surface preparation and bonding operations in accordance with strict quality requirements
• Minor Focus – Hard Goods TPS (Tile Systems) Heat Shield (Avcoat block Bonding)
• Assist with tile installation, bonding, and repair activities
• Support gap filler and closeout tile operations
• Aid in tile removal, reinstallation, and validation processes
• Contribute to tile bond plan reviews and process validation efforts

Skills

Precision assembly

Sewing/fabrication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Job description

ASRC Federal System Solutions (AFSS) is seeking a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Technician Senior to support Orion spacecraft processing operations at Kennedy Space Center.

This role is primarily focused on soft goods TPS (MLI and thermal barriers) supporting fabrication, installation, and validation of flight hardware, with secondary responsibilities supporting hard goods TPS (tile systems).

This position plays a key role in ensuring thermal protection integrity for crewed spaceflight, operating within a precision-driven ATLO environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

Major Focus – Soft Goods TPS (MLI / Thermal Barriers)

• Fabricate, assemble, and install Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and thermal barrier systems for Orion flight hardware
• Set up and operate industrial sewing machines for precision soft goods fabrication
• Perform and support thermal barrier bonding operations
• Review and validate MLI and thermal barrier procedures, drawings, and work instructions
• Support on-vehicle and off-vehicle installation (Aeroshells, Hatches, Heatshield)
• Assist in development and execution of MLI/soft goods flow plans within the ATLO environment

• Perform surface preparation and bonding operations in accordance with strict quality requirements

Minor Focus – Hard Goods TPS (Tile Systems) Heat Shield (Avcoat block Bonding)

• Assist with tile installation, bonding, and repair activities
• Support gap filler and closeout tile operations
• Aid in tile removal, reinstallation, and validation processes
• Contribute to tile bond plan reviews and process validation efforts

Shared Responsibilities (Orion Processing Environment)

• Work from engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions
• Support instrumentation installation and integration activities
• Utilize standard aerospace assembly tools and materials
• Perform modifications, rework, inspections, and quality testing
• Maintain strict adherence to cleanliness, contamination control, and flight hardware handling requirements
• Support production flow, risk reduction, and mission assurance effort

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2-4 years of hands-on fabrication or technical experience
• Ability to perform precision assembly and sewing/fabrication tasks
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Ability to work in a production and flight hardware environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MLI, thermal barriers, or soft goods fabrication
• Experience operating industrial sewing equipment
• Familiarity with spacecraft processing or cleanroom environments
• Exposure to TPS tile systems (secondary skillset)