TPS Manufacturing Engineer – Reentry Heat Shield Expert

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

401(k) with match

On-site in El Segundo

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is hiring a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Manufacturing Engineer to own the ablative and insulative material processes for reentry capsules. You will develop and maintain the manufacturing workflows, specifications, and quality gates in a frontier technology environment.

This on-site role in El Segundo, CA, involves close collaboration with TPS design engineers, process documentation, and capabilities to drive repeatable production for TPS tiles and bonding.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Materials Science, Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering or related experience.
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with thermal protection systems or advanced materials.
• Hands-on experience with ablative or reusable TPS materials and bonding processes.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and TPS assembly models; familiarity with GD&T.
• Ability to write and maintain manufacturing process documentation.

Responsibilities

• Own TPS production processes including ablative tile/panel preparation and bonding.
• Develop work instructions, travelers, and process specs for TPS fabrication and installation.
• Implement surface prep, adhesive application, and cure cycles meeting bond strength and thermal performance.
• Collaborate with design engineers to provide DFM feedback for tile geometry and tooling access.
• Define inspection methods for TPS bonds, surface finish, and dimensional conformance.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for TPS non-conformances.
• Develop environmental conditioning requirements for TPS materials.
• Assess and procure TPS tooling and equipment.

Skills

TPS manufacturing

Bonding processes

Process documentation

GD&T knowledge

Education

B.S. in Materials Science/Engineering

Job description

Varda Space Industries is hiring a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Manufacturing Engineer to own the ablative and insulative material processes for reentry capsules. You will develop and maintain the manufacturing workflows, specifications, and quality gates in a frontier technology environment.

This on-site role in El Segundo, CA, involves close collaboration with TPS design engineers, process documentation, and capabilities to drive repeatable production for TPS tiles and bonding.