Automation & Process Engineer – TPS Materials (ES4)

  • R0161199
  • On Site
  • Huntsville, Alabama, United States
  • Full time
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Overview:

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.
 

Key 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Aerospace, or related field) from an ABET accredited university and experience working with materials, coatings, or manufacturing processes.
  • A minimum of 10 years’ 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.
  • Must be a US Citizen and have a STAR ID

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.

Other Essential Functions

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Must be able to communicate effectively and work both independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Grooming and dress must be appropriate and compliant with safety requirements.
  • Must comply with all federal and company “drug‑free workplace” requirements; drug testing is mandatory for employees in sensitive positions.
  • Must pass all physicals required for this role.

#ASED  #Amentum  #ESSCA

       

Compensation Details:

ES4

       

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:

05/11/2026 - 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.

       

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.

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If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Reasonable Accommodation Helpline at 1-888-877-3181 or 301-944-3299 for assistance. In order to address your request, the following information is needed:

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  • Upon receipt of this information we will respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.