Launch Vehicle Composites Structures Engineer

Arcfield was purpose-built to protect the nation and its allies through innovations in digital transformation, space mission engineering and launch assurance, miniaturized sensors and satellites, advanced modeling and simulation, cybersecurity, and conventional and hypersonic missile support. Headquartered in Chantilly, VA with 16 global offices, Arcfield employs more than 1,500 engineers, analysts, IT specialists, and other professionals with more than 60 years of collective proven experience supporting missions in cyber and space defense, space exploration, hypersonic and nuclear deterrence and warfighter readiness. Visit arcfield.com for more details.

Recognized expert within the Company, who designs, researches and develops highly advanced applications, which may result in new product/business opportunities for the Company. Leads efforts to capture new business through technical work and capability briefings. The Mission Assurance Team (MAT) Structural/Mechanical Composite Structures Engineer provides technical support to the MAT structural/mechanical panel to identify and develop independent and objective technical risk assessments on mission critical launch vehicle structural hardware and mechanical systems based on deviations to the launch vehicle baseline, including documented non-conformances, out-of-family items, out of position work, and changes implemented by the launch vehicle contractor for customer missions. This includes launch vehicle Metallic and Composite structures, Mechanisms, Mission-Unique Designs (e.g. Payload Accommodations).

• Identifies and develops independent and objective technical risk assessments on mission critical launch vehicle structural hardware and mechanical systems based on deviations to the launch vehicle baseline, including documented non-conformances, out-of-family items, out of position work, and changes implemented by the launch vehicle contractor for customer missions.
• Participates in MAT hardware reviews as required at the major element suppliers and to launch preparation and integration facilities where hardware is built, records kept, or where substantial technical information pertaining to the mission resides.
• Coordinates with the MAT Avionics and Propulsion disciplines on issues as required.
• Provides MAT management insight into launch vehicle technical activities and reviews (Engineering Review Boards, Anomaly Review Boards, Table-Top Reviews, etc.).
• Prepares and brief status of issues to MAT leadership.
• Documents technical issues in the MAT team on-line tools and perform risk assessments.
• Provides support to customer Mission Director Briefings.
• Participates in MAT structures discipline meetings.
• Supports other special topic meetings and investigations as requested.

REQUIRED:

• BS 12-15, MS 10-13, PhD 8-10
• U.S. Citizen
• Technically competent, and familiar with SpaceX composite systems - payload fairing, COPVs, PAF, Interstage, etc.
• Understanding of NDE and its application to assessing composite hardware flightworthiness.
• Comfortable and qualified to make flightworthiness risk assessments in a team environment - leveraging available resources.
• Capable of taking initiative in fleet following of flight hardware between NRO missions.
• Self-motivated with minimal direction - willingness to take ownership of assigned tasks.
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must have a strong analytical and computational background and understand the systems engineering process.
• A background in Structural Composite hardware is required.

DESIRED:

• 16 plus years in launch vehicle or space vehicle qualified composite structures and mechanical systems design, manufacturing and test.
• Familiarity accessing SpaceX database systems.

EEO

Arcfield proactively fulfills its role as an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a Disabled Veteran, Recently Separated Veteran, Active-Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal, or any other characteristic protected by law.