Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space… at Amentum · Houston

Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space Exploration Applications Location: US-TX-Houston Are you passionate about human space exploration or understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a dynamic and diverse team to make a difference?  If you are, we need you! We need your commitment, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire humans all over the globe.  We need you to bring innovative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will benefit the quality of life of people around the world.  We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on new challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration.  Amentum is NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working alongside NASA at centers across the United States. We have the unique and significant role to partner with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), to be part of every human spaceflight program – the International Space Station (ISS), NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which will carry astronauts into deep space, and Gateway, the orbiting platform providing the home for astronauts to work and travel back and forth to the moon’s surface, and serving as the platform for deep space exploration.  From critical systems on the ISS to enable astronauts to live and work in space; to performing advanced development for systems leading to deep space exploration; to being part of the foundation for Gateway. We also partner with NASA at JSC, the only NASA center in the United States to curate all astromaterial samples returned from exploration missions, to perform curation services, orbital debris analysis, and basic research to further humankind’s understanding of the origins of our solar system. We need you to be a part of our team! We are currently in need of a Mechanical Design Section Manager to join our team.  Do you have the following skills? The Mechanical Design Section Manager will: Report directly to the Design and Analysis Group Manager. The position is responsible for the direct management of approximately 40 people involved in various aspects of Mechanical System Development across and in support of several NASA Engineering Divisions. Ensure employees in functional areas follow established procedures and generate finished work products under time and budgetary constraints and ensures products yield the expected outcome and established quality levels. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Ensure Project Managers have adequate Mechanical design personnel to accomplish associated tasks. Conduct meetings with Project Managers to provide status and obtain feedback. Perform routine mechanical design reviews for cost, schedule, risk management, and deliverable adherence. Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads. Work with mechanical design task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance. Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform section members. Conduct failure investigations on mechanical systems as required. Maintain active related risk management (technical, cost, and schedule) on all associated mechanical tasks. Communicate design status to senior management. Conduct periodic section meetings to review personnel work safety. Conduct periodic face to face meetings with employees to obtain status, ensure efficiency and provide solutions where needed. Review and approve employee time cards, overtime requests and travel. Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel. Document and perform personnel performance evaluation reviews. Generate award nominations for associated personnel. Establish and monitor personnel training plan. Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc. Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by section. Understand and be capable of generating comprehensive design concepts based on a given set of requirements. Provide rough orders of magnitude (ROM's) and basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks. Review, develop or update Mechanical Design and Development processes as required. Perform other duties as required. Required Education/Experience/Skills: 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 may be expected to have a related masters degree and normally posses 10-15 years of related experience. Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards. Experience with ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards. Experience with tolerance stackup analysis. Familiarity with mechanisms design. Familiarity with electronics packaging and cabling. Previous project management experience required. Must be able to perform management duties associated with approximately 40 people. Familiarity with NASA Work Instruction EA-023, JSC Policy Directive 7120 (Class 1E), along with flight hardware certification and other flight hardware processes. Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills with the ability to work in a team environment and a history of effectively interacting with senior managers at all levels. Experience planning and establishing work priorities. Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook. Preferences: Minimum of 5 years’ experience with NASA/JSC Mechanical flight intravehicular and extravehicular hardware development processes. BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO or Pro Engineering. Familiarization with JSC Engineering Drawing System Manual (JPR 8500). Familiarization with JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755). Familiarity with mechanical design for EMI/EMC and electrical bonding methods. Familiarity with mechanical design for fluid and pressure systems. Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) programs. Prior experience with CREO simulation tools. Understanding of surface finishes and material selection. Exposure to Pro/CABLING. Prior experience designing. Why Work for Us? 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) Comprehensive Benefit Package (medical, dental & vision) 401(k) Tuition Reimbursement Much, much more! For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center, please visit www.wehavespaceforyou.com Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation. Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which this position has been 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 when required. Other Essential Functions Must be able to work in a team atmosphere. Must put forward a 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: EN4-ESS 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: 05/08/2026 - 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.