Blast and Debris Engineer

Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) is comprised of 10 companies and is located at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL (Ranked #1 in Best Places to Live by U.S. News 2022). ASED has been a primary contractor for NASA since 1989 and supports marquee NASA programs, including the Space Launch System, International Space Station, space optics fabrication, earth and space sciences and advanced propulsion system development. As a partner in NASA’s next generation of space exploration, our jobs are literally history in the making.

Position Description:

This position will provide blast and debris test and analysis support to the Aerosciences branch (EV33) in the Structural Design and Analysis Division (EV30) at the MSFC’s Spacecraft and Vehicle Systems Department. This Individual will perform research, analysis, test, and modeling as well as quantifying lethality, survivability, or vulnerability and the full rigor of an engineering analysis requiring clear problem identification, evaluation of alternatives, and analytical assessments as necessary to evaluate alternatives. Findings will be reported in a clear, concise, and technically understandable format.

Responsibilities: 

Specific support to be provided includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Support designing, testing, and measuring explosive environments including blast waves and high-speed imagery for the development of empirical blast and fragmentation models.
• Support development or improvement of test processes and operations.
• Support test setup such as installation of pressure transducers, strain gauges, thermocouples, and high-speed cameras.
• Apply engineering techniques and procedures to analyze and evaluate specific problems, data, or other work features that are broad in scope and complexity.
• Participate and present findings in reviews, meetings, teleconferences, and working groups. 
• Identify, describe, and communicate potential risks.
• Provide clear and effective communications with internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Here's What You'll Need:

A degree from an ABET accredited university is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a BS with 7 – 18 years of relevant experience. 

• Preferred skills in quantifying lethality, survivability, or vulnerability.
• Skilled with numerical computing environments such as Python, C++ or MATLAB and their application to modeling and simulation.
• Capability to perform basic aerodynamic analysis and apply physics-based models for the prediction of thermal environments, blast and debris environments, pressure vessel ruptures, and propellant explosions.
• Knowledge of launch vehicles and spacecraft, including propulsion systems and flight/orbital mechanics.
• Knowledge of launch vehicle abort and flight termination systems.
• Experience designing, testing, and measuring explosive environments including blast waves and high-speed imagery for the development of empirical blast and fragmentation models is preferred.
• Proficiency with the installation and use of sensing elements such as pressure transducers, strain gauges, thermocouples and high-speed cameras is desired
• Knowledge in the production and processing of documentation required for test operations such as Safety Assessments, Standard Operating Procedures, and Test Readiness Reviews.
• Excellent written and oral technical communication skills, with the ability to clearly define and describe a technical subject to peers across various engineering disciplines.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and effective team player with customer relations skills, experience with working in a dynamic work environment.  
• Ability to perform tasks requiring focus and attention to detail and completed within prescribed organizational schedules.
• Ability to be flexible and easily refocus when task directions or requirements change.
• Ability to interface and collaborate with all levels of engineering and project management.
• Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams & Outlook) are required. 
• Ability to acquire certifications for handling cryogenic and high-pressure systems.
• Familiarity with design and fabrication of test apparatus and structures.
• Familiarity with safety processes in an outdoor testing environment.

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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Essential Functions

Work Environment: 

General office (50%) and test environment (50%). Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%).

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%). Requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to perform engineering tasks and write reports (35%). Also, requires standing and walking for extended periods of time in the test area (50%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and Amentum facilities (5%). 

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 is from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions: 

A REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification to access federal facilities. 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.  

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

#ESSCA #ASED

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.