TPS Spacecraft Technician

About This Role

As a TPS Technician at Varda you will be hands-on in fabricating integrating and testing Thermal Protection Systems that protect the reentry capsule during hypersonic reentry. Your work ensures that TPS components meet the demanding thermal mechanical and environmental loads encountered during return from orbit. You will support Vardas push toward high-production frequent-fly missions with robustness reproducibility and high recovery reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

Fabricate assemble and integrate TPS components/hardware (blanks ablative panels conformal TPS coatings) based on Varda & NASA Ames developed designs.

Operate and maintain tooling jigs molds fixtures used for TPS parts; ensure alignment of parts seams edges to avoid weak points or hotspots.

Prepare TPS materials: shaping trimming edge finishing bonding/sealant application and surface preparation.

Work with coatings or ablative surfaces and ensure integrity of surface finish bonding surface continuity.

Assist in inspection & quality control: dimensional tolerances material integrity surface defects adhesion seam integrity finish. Document non-conformances rework or repair past failures.

Maintain clean workspace and manage contamination risk; some TPS materials / integration steps may require controlled room / clean environment.

Maintain accurate fabrication and test documentation: process sheets procedures test results material certificates. Support traceability.

Coordinate with Design / Analysis / Thermal / Integration Engineers to feedback learnings from testing (damage failure modes) into design improvements.

Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent required; technical or trade school training in materials composite fabrication manufacturing or related field is a plus.

Prior hands-on experience with high-temperature materials ablative materials insulation phenolic or carbon ablators or ceramic / carbon fiber composites.

Ability to read engineering drawings TPS design specifications material data sheets. Comfortable following precise work instructions.

Proficiency with hand tools and power tools; ability to perform precise trimming sanding finishing. Measuring skills with calipers height gauges other metrology tools.

Good understanding of safety procedures PPE for high-temperature chemical and potentially hazardous environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience in aerospace or reentry TPS work (ablative materials conformal TPS) especially those used by Varda or NASA.

Familiarity with specific TPS materials: e.g. PICA possibly 3D woven TPS or similar materials under development.

Experience in working in a high cadence manufacturing / test environment; ability to maintain production quality under tight schedules.

Knowledge of attaching TPS to structural interfaces; understanding of mechanical attachment thermal expansion interface sealing.

Familiarity with test hardware instrumentation and mounting methods (thermocouples heat flux sensors IR cameras) beneficial.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Work in lab/factory/test facilities in El Segundo CA. May involve working near high-temperature test apparatus with exposure to heat fumes abrasive materials etc.

Ability to handle moderate weight (25-50 lbs or more) components lift maneuver position parts manually or with assist equipment.

Able to stand kneel crouch climb ladders or scaffolding reach overhead etc.

Use of PPE (gloves respirators face shields) as required.

Impact & Why This Role Matters at Varda

Ensures that each reentry capsule is safely returned protecting valuable payloads from destruction in reentry.

Supports Vardas goal of frequent recoverable reliable reentry; every mission failure or damage in TPS slows their ability to iterate and scale.

By helping in TPS robustness technician feedback improves reliability lowers cost per return improves manufacturability which are crucial for Vardas business model.