Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics or Materials from an accredited school
5-10 years of relevant experience in electrostatics or aerospace engineering
Expertise in spacecraft charging environments and ESD mitigation strategies
Experience in developing electrostatic models for design validation
Familiarity with NASA and military standards related to spacecraft design
Strong communication and analytical skills with software proficiency
Responsibilities
Serve as a subject-matter expert on spacecraft charging analysis
Support engineering teams in addressing electrostatic risks for spacecraft and rovers
Evaluate circuits and designs for effective ESD protection
Conduct testing and analysis of materials for charge behavior
Report to and collaborate with a large team of Electrical Engineers
Benefits
Competitive pay
Positive work-life balance
100% employer-paid health insurance
11 paid holidays annually
Generous PTO policy
401k with employer match after 12 months
Education assistance and relocation support
Full Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Electrostatics Specialist Engineer - Space Exploration Avionics Systems to join our JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
If selected you will:
Serve as a subject-matter expert in high-charging environments, with primary responsibilities in spacecraft charging analysis, surface potentials, electrostatic discharge (ESD) mitigation, materials evaluation, and vehicle-level electrostatic risk assessments.
Supports engineering teams developing spacecraft, rovers, or other platforms where electrostatic phenomena present mission, safety, or performance risks.
Show deep experience in high-charge generation, discharge mitigation, and advanced materials behavior.
Evaluate circuits and box level designs for ESD protection.
Report directly to the Electronics and Electrical Section Manager as part of group of over 45 other Electronics and Electrical Engineers
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.
Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and normally possess 5- 10 years of related experience. License and certification may be required.
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Physics or Materials from an accredited engineering school and a minimum of 7 years of job-related experience or equivalent.
Lead and perform analysis of spacecraft charging environments, including surface charging, internal charging, differential potentials, plasma interactions, and discharge event risk.
Develop and validate electrostatic models to support design, verification, and certification of space vehicles, and ground vehicles.
Design and support laboratory and field testing, including high-voltage discharge testing, plasma chamber testing, triboelectric charge measurements, and ESD characterization testing.
Knowledge, understanding and application of NASA-STD-4003, NASA-HDBK-4002, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461 as applied to spacecraft.
Strong communications and analytical skills; working knowledge of computer systems and integrated software application programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in engineering, Physics or Materials from an accredited engineering school
Understanding of different Orbits and how that applied to Spacecraft Charging Environments.
Evaluate materials for charge accumulation, dissipation, and susceptibility to ESD, including coatings, polymers, composites, thermal blankets, and wiring insulation.
Assess electronic parts, circuits, and systems to evaluate electrostatic risks, mitigation effectiveness, and ability to meet performance and reliability requirements.
Define and recommend mitigation strategies such as bonding schemes, conductive coatings, passivation techniques, and operational constraints.
Conduct ESD hazard assessments for aerospace systems, triboelectric charging during flight, and vehicle-level discharge pathways.
Provide electrostatics expertise across multidisciplinary teams and translate stakeholder insights into system-level risk assessments and models.
Review design changes and mission concepts for electrostatic implications, contributing to risk analysis and anomaly investigations.
Familiarity with systems engineering and integration (S&EI) and/or specialty engineering for NASA spaceflight (or similar complexity).
Analyze and interpret complex avionics design products including schematics, block diagrams, component specifications, parts lists, fault tree analysis, etc.
Experience with test hardware such as oscilloscopes, multi-meters, logic analyzers, function generators, electronic load banks, power supplies, power and analyzers.
Clearly communicate electrostatic concepts, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Benefits
Competitive pay
Positive work-life balance
100% Employer paid insurance including: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability
11 paid holidays annually
Generous PTO
401k after 12 months of service with employer match
Education assistance
Relocation assistance (if applicable)
Mclaurin is a unique organization with a special focus on combining the best features of research and industry in order to foster innovation. Our organization strongly supports research, publication, and engagement with the academic community. We encourage our employees to remain on the cutting edge of new developments in their respective disciplines.
US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.
