Deputy Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space Exploration Applications

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!     

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space Exploration Applications to join the JETSII Contract!

​The Deputy Mechanical Design Section Manager supports the Mechanical Design Section Manager in overseeing approximately 40 personnel involved in Mechanical System Development across several NASA Engineering Divisions. The Deputy allocates 10–20 hours per week to management duties and reports directly to the Mechanical Design Section Manager. The remainder of their time is dedicated to design‑related tasking, including design execution, modeling, drawing generation, leadership on mechanical design tasks, cost estimate generation, and participation in quick‑response efforts to assist design leads, resolve anomalies, or conduct complex design work.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Management support for approximately 10-20 hrs./week and remaining hours are designed focus.

• Support the Section Manager in ensuring employees follow established procedures and deliver work products aligned with schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
• Assist in maintaining adequate mechanical design personnel coverage for Project Managers.
• Join or conduct selected meetings with Project Managers to provide updates and gather feedback.
• Support routine mechanical design reviews focused on cost, schedule, risk, and deliverable adherence.
• Provide oversight, mentorship, and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads as assigned.
• Assist task leads with tracking and maintaining efficient task performance.
• Maintain and contribute to the section’s lessons learned repository.
• Participate in mechanical system failure investigations as required.
• Support active risk management activities for technical, cost, and schedule elements of mechanical tasks.
• Communicate relevant design status, risks, and needs upward to the Section Manager and senior management.
• Support periodic section meetings, especially those related to personnel safety.
• Conduct periodic one‑on‑one employee check‑ins when delegated.
• Review and approve time cards, overtime requests, and travel when delegated.
• Assist with resource requests, interviewing, and hiring processes.
• Document and support personnel evaluation reviews as requested.
• Generate award nominations for personnel when appropriate.
• Help establish, monitor, and track personnel training plans.
• Coordinate with colleagues to resolve cross‑organizational issues involving technical challenges, process gaps, or resource limitations.
• Support establishment and oversight of technical correctness across section work.
• Contribute to updates or development of Mechanical Design and Development processes.

• Execute mechanical design, modeling, drawing creation, and development activities.
• Serve as a Mechanical Design Lead on assigned projects.
• Generate ROMs and BOEs for projects and tasks.
• Participate as a member of the Mechanical Design Quick Response Team to support other leads, conduct complex design efforts, or resolve anomalies.
• Create comprehensive design concepts from given requirements.
• Support hardware development tasks across NASA programs as assigned.​

•Perform other delegated duties.

Requisition Qualifications:

​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 normally possess 5- 10 years of related experience. License and certification may be required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• Typically 10–15 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 and ASME Y14.100 standards.
• Experience with tolerance stack‑up analysis.
• Familiarity with mechanism design, electronics packaging, and cabling.
• Previous project management experience.
• Ability to support management activities associated with a section of ~40 personnel.
• Familiarity with NASA WI EA‑023, JSC PD 7120 (Class 1E), flight hardware certification, and related processes.
• Strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with senior managers.
• Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

Requisition Preferences:

​• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• Typically 10–15 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 and ASME Y14.100 standards.
• Experience with tolerance stack‑up analysis.
• Familiarity with mechanism design, electronics packaging, and cabling.
• Previous project management experience.
• Ability to support management activities associated with a section of ~40 personnel.
• Familiarity with NASA WI EA‑023, JSC PD 7120 (Class 1E), flight hardware certification, and related processes.
• Strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with senior managers.
• Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

 Why Join Our Team?

In addition to exciting career opportunities, we also ave:

• Excellent personal and professional career growth
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable
• Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)
• Much, much more!

For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit www.wehavespaceforyou.com

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is 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.

Other Essential Functions

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:

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:

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.