Automation & Process Engineer – TPS Materials - R0161199 Job

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED), a primary contractor for NASA since 1989, is comprised of 10 companies and is located at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.
Grow With Us
Your growth matters to us—that’s why we offer a variety of ways for you to develop your career. With professional and leadership development opportunities like Team Lead Academy, education reimbursement, mentoring, and company sponsored networking events, you can take control of your own career path on your own terms with a company that believes in you.
A Place Where You Belong
At the Amentum Space Exploration Division, people are at the heart of our business. We reflect a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. We expect our people, clients, and partners to treat one another with dignity and respect. This means promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity, and appreciating the differences we all bring to our workplace.
Support Your Well-Being
Our comprehensive benefits package includes wellness programs, 11 paid holidays, parental leave, paid time off, employee perks and much more. With these benefits, plus the option for flexible schedules and possible remote a few days a week (depending on customer requirements) we’ll support you as you pursue a balanced, fulfilling life—at work and at home.

Position Description:
The Non Metallic Materials and Space Environmental Effects Team is seeking an automation focused Process Engineer to modernize, optimize, and support manufacturing processes associated with aerospace Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials. This role emphasizes workflow design, digital manufacturing execution, MES configuration, automation readiness, and cross disciplinary coordination. The engineer will partner closely with TPS engineers, technicians, project teams, and quality organizations to ensure manufacturing workflows, work orders, and digital travelers are efficient, accurate, and aligned with engineering intent. While not a supervisory role, this position works hands on with technicians throughout all manufacturing steps to drive process consistency, quality, and automation integration.

Responsibilities:
• Serve as the primary workflow and MES process planning focal for TPS manufacturing, developing efficient, well structured routing steps, digital travelers, and automated work sequences.
• Build, configure, and maintain TPS process plans, job travelers, checklists, and MES logic within Solumina (or similar systems) to guide technicians through foam spraying, coatings, pour foam operations, adhesive bonding, surface preparation, and related tasks.
• Identify automation opportunities—improving task sequencing, reducing manual data entry, integrating equipment data, and enhancing digital traceability.
• Support the programming, troubleshooting, and operation of automated equipment; experience with robotics (Fanuc preferred) or willingness to develop proficiency.
• Collaborate with technicians and TPS engineers on the manufacturing floor to resolve workflow issues, improve process readiness, and support real time troubleshooting.
• Monitor the progress of ongoing TPS work, communicating schedule risks, resource constraints, MES issues, and material availability to engineering and project leadership.
• Document process deviations, lessons learned, and improvement opportunities; drive corrective actions and digital process updates.
Additional responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
• Participate in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and process planning meetings as the TPS manufacturing representative.
• Work with TPS engineers to evaluate new materials, equipment, robotics, or process changes; translating them into updated MES workflows.
• Support the development and revision of fixtures, tools, and automation related manufacturing aids for TPS operations.
• Facilitate alignment between engineering intent, automation/MES configurations, technician execution, quality requirements, and customer expectations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the TPS lab and manufacturing areas.

A degree in engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Aerospace, or related field) and experience working with materials, coatings, or manufacturing processes is required. A degree from an ABET accredited university is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience of some combination of the following skills: automation programming, manufacturing planning, process engineering, materials processing, or aerospace production environments.
• Ability to follow and develop detailed procedures, process plans, and engineering documentation.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate across engineering, quality, and technician groups.
• Familiarity with polymer based materials, coatings, adhesives, or TPS related processes, or willingness to learn.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, process flows, and configuration controlled documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with robotics (Fanuc preferred) or willingness to develop proficiency.
• Experience developing or managing manufacturing plans, travelers, or process instructions in an aerospace environment.
• Experience utilizing Solumina or a similar manufacturing process software
• Familiarity with TPS materials including foams, coatings, adhesives, and other non metallic aerospace systems.
• Experience in environments involving coatings/paint, surface prep, or materials processing activities.
• Previous involvement in coordinating cross functional teams or serving as a technical liaison between engineering and manufacturing.
Physical Requirements
• Work will primarily involve time spent in laboratory or shop environments, observing manufacturing processes, supporting troubleshooting, and coordinating with technicians and engineers. Standing for extended periods may be required and PPE such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and hearing protection will be used.
• Occasional time in full Tyvek (“bunny suit”) protective clothing and a respirator may be required when supervising or participating in operations involving specific foam, coating, or adhesive systems.
• Periods of sitting for computer-based work and meetings are also required.
Work Environment
• Work will be performed primarily in indoor labs (80%) and in a general office environment (15%). Occasional work outdoors is required (5% or less).
• Requires frequent interaction with engineers, technicians, managers, customers, and quality representatives, with clear and concise communication in both written and verbal formats.
Attendance
• The candidate selected for this position can typically choose between an 8:00am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday schedule or a schedule with 10-hour shifts, 4 consecutive days per week. (6:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday) with adjustments possible based on customer needs or project requirements.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory.

Star ID will be required to obtain access to MSFC.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.
We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.
We are a background screening, drug-free workplace.
ASED offers a partnership in which you can grow personally and professionally within a framework of strong leadership, competitive compensation, and rewarding career paths. Come join our team on the Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) contract whose work is destined to have a long-range effect on future generations!
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• https://hsvchamber.org/
• www.Huntsville.org/
• https://www.movoto.com/guide/huntsville-al/moving-to-huntsville/
• https://realestate.usnews.com/places/alabama/huntsville
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To review career opportunities and to submit your resume for Amentum Space Exploration Division in Huntsville, AL, visit https://ased.space/.
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