Amentum

Spacecraft Parachute Lead Engineer

Amentum$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in engineering with 15 years of experience, or MS with 15 years, or Ph.D. with 10 years in relevant field.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft capsule parachute systems.
  • Strong organizing and planning skills for technical activities.
  • Knowledge in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and loads & dynamics.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills for technical presentations.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, test, and integration of spacecraft parachute systems.
  • Develop a deep understanding of parachute system trades and mission constraints.
  • Organize and execute independent verification and validation activities.
  • Support verification of requirements and evaluations of design changes.
  • Interface with key stakeholders, including NASA and project managers.
  • Facilitate meetings and maintain a repository of technical discussions.
  • Perform additional duties as required.

Benefits

  • 9/80 work schedule offering every other Friday off.
  • Onsite cafeteria providing breakfast and lunch.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement benefits with matching.
  • Educational reimbursement for further learning.
  • Paid time off and holidays.
  • Parental leave and family support options.
Full Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Spacecraft Parachute Lead Engineer to join the team.

The Spacecraft Parachute Lead Engineer will:
  • Serve as a parachute lead for a spacecraft parachute system, providing oversight of the design, development, test, integration, verification, and validation for Commercial Crew Program (CCP)
  • Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the spacecraft parachute system design trades, tests, operational mission constraints and risks
  • Organize and lead inter-disciplinary independent verification and validation (IV&V) activities to ensure that the parachute behavior is adequately characterized to support impacted requirements using modeling and flight-testing techniques
  • Support requirements verification, IFA investigations, design change evaluations
  • Interface with key stakeholders including but not limited to the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) Office, the CCP Integrated Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics System Manager, NASA JSC Safety and Mission Assurance group, and NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC)
  • Maintain a repository of key discussion points and facilitate weekly internal meetings with NASA stakeholders and biweekly discussion with spacecraft stakeholders
  • Perform other duties as required.


Requisition 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, educational requirements are the equivalent of a BS with at least 15 years of experience.
  • MS degree in engineering from an accredited engineering school and fifteen (15) years of direct engineering experience, or a Ph.D and ten (10) years of direct engineering experience.
  • Familiarity with the details of current spacecraft capsule parachute systems
  • Organizing, planning, and/or managing technical activities for the purpose of accomplishing defined objectives within schedule and budget constraints
  • Knowledge of adjacent disciplines of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and loads & dynamics
  • Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to present technical data, concepts, and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and various contractor employees.


Requisition Preferences:
  • MS or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering
  • Extensive knowledge of principles, and practices involved in the definition, design, development, integration, test, manufacturing, and operations of parachute recovery systems
  • Extensive experience with ground testing of textile components and assemblies
  • Expertise in interpretation of ground test and flight data
  • Experience with wind tunnel testing
  • Experience with extracting aerodynamic data from flight testing

Why Join Our Team?

In addition to exciting career opportunities, we also have:
  • Excellent personal and professional career growth
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable
  • Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)
  • Much, much more!


For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit www.wehavespaceforyou.com
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
  • Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
  • Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.


Essential Functions

Work Environment

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.

Physical Requirements

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).

Equipment and Machines

Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).

Attendance

Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Other Essential Functions

Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

#JETS #JETSII

Compensation Details:
SME1-SME2

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:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
  • Educational reimbursement
  • Parental leave
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Tax-saving options
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Pet insurance


Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:
05/18/2026 - Until Filled
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. This timeline may change based on business needs.

About Amentum

Amentum is a leading provider of engineering and technical services to the U.S. government and commercial customers worldwide. The company offers a wide range of services, including environmental remediation, facilities management, and logistics and supply chain management, among others. Amentum has a global presence, with operations in over 20 countries, and serves a diverse range of customers, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of State. The company is committed to providing high-quality services and has a strong reputation for technical expertise, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Learn more about Amentum
Size
20,000 employees
Industry
Net Income
$200 million
Founded
2014
Revenue
$5 billion

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