Senior Composite Engineer (SME1)

Position Overview

This role supports composite structures design, analysis, and manufacturing for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) programs. The engineer will work on composite components for launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and spacecraft structures. This position is ideal for a strong composites engineer looking to grow into MSFC-specific requirements and advanced spaceflight applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Composite Design & Analysis
• Perform design and analysis of composite components for aerospace structures.
• Develop laminate schedules, evaluate material behavior, and assess structural performance under mechanical and thermal loads.
• Support FEA modeling activities including linear and basic non-linear analysis, buckling checks, and failure assessments.
• Participate in trade studies and support requirements development.
• Program Support & Collaboration
• Work directly with MSFC engineering teams, suppliers, and other contractors to develop composite solutions.
• Support design reviews (PDR, CDR) by preparing presentation materials and technical documentation.
• Contribute to testing plans, NDI evaluation, and verification activities as needed.
• Manufacturing & Materials Support
• Composite fabrication activities including autoclave layup, AFP/ATL, and resin infusion processes.
• Participate in tooling reviews, process development, and troubleshooting of manufacturing issues.
• Assist with material evaluation, process documentation, and coordination with manufacturing engineering.
• Testing & Verification Support
• Support composite component testing, data review, and correlation activities.
• Assist with structural test planning, failure investigation activities, and corrective action discussions.
• General Responsibilities
• Maintain configuration, documentation, and compliance with engineering processes.
• Communicate effectively across disciplines and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, materials engineering, or related field.
• 10–15+ years of experience working with composite materials and structural components (aerospace preferred).
• Experience with composite laminate design, basic FEA, and mechanical/thermal load assessment.
• Hands-on familiarity with composite manufacturing processes such as autoclave layup, AFP/ATL, or RTM/VARTM.
• Proficiency in CAD and FEA tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Abaqus, ANSYS, or Nastran).
• Ability to work within structured engineering processes and deliver high-quality technical documentation.

Preferred (Nice-to-Have) Qualifications

• Experience supporting spaceflight, launch vehicle, or defense composite structures.
• Exposure to cryogenic composites, pressure vessels, or large-scale aerospace structures.
• Familiarity with NASA/MSFC standards or similar government requirements.
• Experience with NDI methods such as UT, thermography, or X-ray.
• Scripting or automation experience (Python, MATLAB).

Physical Requirements

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%).
• Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%).
• Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).

Equipment and Machines

• Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance

• Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job.

Essential Functions

• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%).
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Compensation Details

SME1 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

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Education reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Original Posting

Original Posting: 07/02/2026 - 07/31/2026

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.

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.