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Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space Exploration Applications

Amentum


Job Location:

Houston, TX - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 3 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 NASAs pursuits in deep space exploration. Amentum is NASAs 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) NASAs 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 moons 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 humankinds understanding of the origins of our solar system.

We need you to be a part of our team!

We are currently in need of aMechanical Design Section Managerto join our team. Do you have the following skills

TheMechanical Design Section Managerwill:
  • 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 (ROMs) and basis of estimates (BOEs) 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 candidates 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 bachelors 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.
  • Familiaritywith 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 (SKZ).

  • 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 Centerpleasevisit

  • 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 to25 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-OHara 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 atLabor Laws Posters.


Required Experience:

Manager


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