Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!
We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Mechanical Design Chief Engineer, Space Exploration Applications to join the team!
** We are actively searching for qualified candidates for this potential opening; however, we do not have assurance at this time when the position will be finalized and opened. Because we have strong reason to believe the position will be approved soon, we are proceeding with identifying qualified candidates and conducting interviews. **
The Mechanical Design Chief Engineer, Space Exploration Applications will
- 01Report directly to the Design and Analysis Group Manager. The position is responsible for the direct technical oversight of approximately 100 people involved in various aspects of Mechanical System Development across and in support of several NASA Engineering Divisions.
- 02Perform routine mechanical design reviews for cost, schedule, risk management, and deliverable adherence.
- 03Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads.
- 04Work with mechanical design task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance.
- 05Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform design engineers.
- 06Lead team to conduct troubleshooting, fault tree development and provide technical resolution for anomalies in mechanical systems.
- 07Maintain active related risk management (technical, cost, and schedule) on all associated mechanical tasks.
- 08Communicate design status to senior management.
- 09Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple NASA JSC and JETS contract organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc.
- 10Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by the design section.
- 11Conduct design reviews to monitor technical correctness, design project health, and progress.
- 12Understand and be capable of generating comprehensive design concepts based on a given set of requirements.
- 13Work with engineers to provide hands-on approach in the hardware design, build and test/verification process.
- 14Provide rough orders of magnitude (ROM's) and basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks.
- 15Provide quick technical and administrative response to projects, removing roadblocks to ensure project success and customer satisfaction.
- 16Work as a Project Technical Design Lead as required to supplement or replace current design lead function.
- 17Review, develop or update Mechanical Design and Development processes as required.
- 18Develop succession plan mentoring future Chief Engineers and Technical Design Leads.
- 19Develop technical training modules as required.
- 20Perform other duties as required.
Requisition Qualifications
This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.
- 21Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and may be expected to have a related master’s degree and normally possess 10-15 years of related experience.
- 22Minimum of 5 years' experience with NASA/JSC Mechanical flight intravehicular and extravehicular hardware development processes.
- 23Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO, Pro Engineering or Solidworks.
- 24Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards
- 25Experience with ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards
- 26Experience with tolerance stack up analysis.
- 27Familiarity with mechanisms design.
- 28Familiarity with electronics packaging and cabling.
- 29Prior experience with down and in mechanical component design (including large structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, fluid systems etc.)
- 30Previous project or technical team/task management experience required
- 31Familiarity with NASA Work Instruction EA-023, JSC Policy Directive 7120 (Class 1E), along with flight hardware certification and other flight hardware processes.
- 32Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills with the ability to work in a team environment and a history of effectively interacting with senior managers at all levels.
- 33Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
- 34Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
Requisition Preferences
- 35BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- 36Familiarization with JSC Engineering Drawing System Manual (JPR 8500).
- 37Familiarization with JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755).
- 38Familiarity with mechanical design for EMI/EMC and electrical bonding methods.
- 39Familiarity with mechanical design for fluid and pressure systems.
- 40Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) programs.
- 41Prior experience with CREO simulation tools.
- 42Prior experience with add-on CREO Tools such as DFM Pro, CETOL, EZTOL or MBDVidia
- 43Prior experience in NASA payload system mechanical design
- 44Understanding of surface finishes and material selection.
- 45Exposure to Model Based Design methods and software tools
- 46Exposure to Pro/CABLING.
- 47Prior experience with a wide range of technical approaches and theory for the associated design discipline.
Why Join Our Team?
In addition to exciting career opportunities, we also have
- 48Excellent personal and professional career growth
- 499/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable
- 50Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)
- 51Much, much more!
For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit wehavespaceforyou.com wehavespaceforyou.com/
- 52Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
- 53Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
- 54Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.
Essential Functions
Work Environment
Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
Physical Requirements
Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).
Equipment and Machines
Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).
Attendance
Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.
Other Essential Functions
Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
#JETS #JETSII
Compensation Details
EN4-ESS
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities.
Offerings include
- 55Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 56Paid time off and holidays
- 57Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
- 58Educational reimbursement
- 59Parental leave
- 60Employee stock purchase plan
- 61Tax-saving options
- 62Disability and life insurance
- 63Pet insurance
Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable
agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting
09/17/2026 - Until Filled
Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters postings.govdocs.com/#/vxSkbztPuAwwxfs.
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