Sr Composite Engineer, Part Time Temporary (SME3)

Job Description

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Position Overview
A highly experienced composite structures expert responsible for supporting NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) programs through leading advanced composite design and development activities for launch vehicle and propulsion systems. This contractor position provides technical leadership across mission-critical projects and serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for composite materials and structures in extreme aerospace environments. This role requires deep technical expertise in space-qualified composites, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive innovation in next-generation launch and propulsion systems while ensuring compliance with MSFC and NASA standards. Must be a US citizen and have a STAR ID.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership:
Serve as the technical authority and SME for composite materials, design, analysis, and manufacturing supporting MSFC programs
Lead the development of complex composite structures for spacecraft structures primary and secondary structure, such as launch vehicles, propulsion systems, in-space stages, and lander systems
Define technical approaches and design philosophies for composite programs aligned with MSFC mission requirements
Drive innovation in composite materials, processes, and design methodologies for launch vehicle and propulsion applications
Resolve the most challenging composite technical issues across multiple MSFC programs and projects
Provide composite technical guidance and direction to engineering teams and subcontractors
Champion best practices, lessons learned, and continuous improvement across composite programs
Interface with MSFC civil servant engineers, technical authorities, program/project managers, and other contractor organizations at a senior technical level
Support MSFC technology development initiatives and advanced concepts studies
Strategic Design and Analysis:
Lead design of highly complex composite structures for launch vehicle environments (ascent loads, acoustic, vibration, thermal, cryogenic)
Perform and oversee advanced structural analysis including non-linear, damage tolerance, fracture mechanics, and long-duration mission life prediction
Develop novel composite solutions for challenging mission requirements:
Cryogenic propellant tanks and tank structures
Launch vehicle interstages, adapters, and fairings
Deployable structures for in-space applications
Composite cases for solid rocket motors
Thermal protection and insulation systems
High-temperature propulsion component structures
Establish design criteria, requirements, and verification/validation approaches per MSFC systems engineering processes
Conduct trade studies involving multiple disciplines (structures, thermal, materials, propulsion, manufacturing)
Validate designs through comprehensive analysis, environmental testing, and test-analysis correlation
Lead failure investigations and anomaly resolution with root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
Support technology readiness level (TRL) advancement activities from concept through TRL 9
Program and Technical Management:
Lead composite engineering activities for major MSFC programs including:
Space Launch System (SLS)
Human Landing System (HLS)
In-Space Propulsion systems
Advanced propulsion concepts
Commercial crew/cargo vehicle support
Manage technical scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables for composite work packages
Coordinate with systems engineering, loads/dynamics, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality, and safety teams
Support proposal development for MSFC contracts with technical content, approaches, and cost estimates
Prepare and present technical reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, etc.) to MSFC review boards and technical authorities
Participate in MSFC technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design working groups, and technical panels
Represent the contractor organization at technical conferences and industry forums
Ensure compliance with contract technical requirements and deliverables
Support Program/Project Control Board activities and change request evaluations
Manufacturing and Production Excellence:
Lead development and qualification of advanced manufacturing processes for space-qualified composites
Oversee transition from technology development to flight production
Provide technical oversight of composite subcontractors and suppliers
Troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues and implement solutions
Develop manufacturing specifications, process controls, and acceptance criteria per MSFC quality standards
Review and approve first article inspection reports, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production readiness reviews
Champion cost reduction initiatives while maintaining mission assurance and flight safety
Support make-vs-buy decisions and source selection technical evaluation
Interface with MSFC Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MEL) for process development support
Standards, Requirements, and Mission Assurance:
Lead verification and validation activities for composite structures per MSFC and NASA requirements
Ensure compliance with MSFC standards including:
MSFC-STD-3012 (Stress Analysis and Fracture Control Requirements for Spaceflight Hardware)
MSFC-SPEC-250 (Polymeric Materials, Non-Metallic)
MSFC fracture control and damage tolerance requirements
MSFC design and analysis guidelines
Apply NASA standards:
NASA-STD-5001 (Structural Design and Test Factors of Safety)
NASA-STD-5019 (Fracture Control Requirements for Spaceflight Hardware)
NASA-STD-6016 (Standard Materials and Processes Requirements for Spacecraft)
NPR 7120 series (Systems Engineering Processes)
NPR 7123 (Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements)
Ensure compliance with industry composite standards:
CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook)
ASTM composite test standards
SACMA recommended methods
ARP, MIL-HDBK, and other applicable specifications
Support MSFC safety review processes and Safety Technical Review Boards (STRBs)
Interface with MSFC Materials and Processes Laboratory for materials qualification support
Support Materials Review Board (MRB) and configuration control processes
Support certification of flight readiness for composite structures
Interface with NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) during independent assessments
Mentorship, Collaboration, and Knowledge Management:
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and contractor personnel in composite design and analysis
Develop internal training materials and conduct technical workshops
Build and develop composite engineering capabilities within the contractor organization
Foster collaboration with MSFC civil servants, other contractors, and university partners
Contribute to technical documentation, lessons learned databases, and design guidelines
Support knowledge capture and transfer for long-duration programs
Participate in professional society activities representing the contractor and MSFC community
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field from an ABET-accredited program
Master's degree or PhD strongly preferred
Experience:
28+ years of progressive experience
in composite materials and structures, with significant aerospace/space systems experience
Proven track record of successfully leading complex composite programs for launch vehicle or propulsion applications
Extensive experience across the full mission lifecycle (concept, design, analysis, test, qualification, certification, flight operations)
Deep hands-on experience with space-qualified composite manufacturing processes and materials
Experience leading technical teams, mentoring engineers, and managing subcontractor technical performance
Demonstrated experience supporting NASA programs, MSFC projects, or similar government spaceflight programs
Familiarity with MSFC systems engineering processes, mission assurance requirements, and technical authority structure
Experience supporting large-scale launch vehicle development programs strongly preferred
Technical Expertise:
Expert-level knowledge
of composite materials for space applications including:
Space-qualified carbon fiber (IM7, T800, T1000, M55J, pitch fiber), aramid (Kevlar), and glass reinforcement systems
Epoxy (977-3, 5320, etc.), BMI, PETI, cyanate ester, and other space-grade resin systems
Sandwich structures with aluminum honeycomb, Nomex, and foam cores
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for high-temperature applications
Material behavior in space and launch environments (outgassing per ASTM E595, thermal cycling, vibration, acoustic, humidity)
Cryogenic composite applications (LOX/LH2 compatibility, coefficient of thermal expansion management)
Mastery of composite design principles:
Complex laminate design and optimization for lau