Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer

Responsibilities

• Define the Thermal Protection System architecture and thermal protection strategy for the Carryall vehicle
• Support aerothermal dynamics team to guide high-fidelity aeroheating analysis (CFD) and thermal response modeling
• Lead testing and characterization of flexible and rigid TPS materials, including arc-jet and radiant heat testing
• Oversee transition from theoretical design to flight hardware and manage vendor relationships
• Develop and support the verification plan for the TPS subsystem
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical roadmap

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in TPS development, hypersonic aerodynamics, or high-temperature structural materials
• Working knowledge of heat transfer mechanisms (convection, radiation, conduction) during atmospheric entry
• Proficiency with thermal and ablation modeling tools (FIAT, CMA, Thermal Desktop) and analysis software (ANSYS, MATLAB, Python)
• Hands-on experience with hardware testing, specifically environmental or arc-jet testing
• Proven ability to manage complex trade studies involving mass, volume, and thermal performance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
• Direct experience with hypersonic vehicle flight hardware from concept to post-flight analysis
• Familiarity with NASA/DoD spaceflight standards for thermal protection
• Experience in a "Design, Build, Fly" environment with rapid iteration cycles

Benefits

• Competitive compensation: $230,000-$270,000
• Annual performance-based bonuses
• Meaningful equity in Outpost
• Comprehensive healthcare (Medical, dental, and vision)
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance
• Paid time off and 9 days of paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Daily DoorDash lunch stipend and unlimited snacks
• Pet-friendly office
• Monthly company happy hours and events

About the Company

Outpost is building the missing infrastructure between orbit and Earth: reusable vehicles that can bring payloads back from space and deliver them to a precise location within hours.