TPS Manufacturing Engineer - Reentry Heat Shield Expert

Socket.dev

El Segundo (CA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 179,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Stock options

401(k) with 6% match

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Manufacturing Engineer to own the manufacturing processes for ablative and insulative materials protecting reentry capsules. This role requires deep expertise in bonding, tile fabrication, surface prep, and cure cycles to ensure heatshield reliability for spaceflight.

You will develop and maintain detailed work instructions, process travelers, and specs, partner with design engineers on DFM, and lead root-cause

Qualifications

BS in Materials/Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical/Manufacturing Eng, 3–6+ years experience.
3+ years of TPS/advanced materials manufacturing in aerospace/defense.
Hands-on with ablative or reusable TPS materials (PICA, AVCOAT, SLA-561, tiles).
Experience with adhesive bonding, surface prep, and cure cycles.
Ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T.
Experience documenting manufacturing processes.
Physical ability to lift 25 lbs and stand for long periods.

Responsibilities

Own TPS production processes: tile/panel prep, bonding, densification, closeout.
Create detailed work instructions, travelers, and process specs.
Implement surface prep, adhesive application, cure cycles per specs.
Collaborate with TPS design engineers for DFM feedback.
Define inspection methods for bonds, surfaces, and conformance.
Lead root cause analysis for TPS non-conformances.
Develop environmental conditioning requirements for TPS materials.