Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer (TPS)

Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer 

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) 

Launch has changed the economics of space. Now it is time to return. 

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. We call it exologistics, space-to-Earth logistics at planetary scale. This is not a paper concept or a distant roadmap. Our system is in active development, with core technologies advancing toward flight readiness. 

The need is already here and the market has responded. We have validated demand through multiple defense and civil agreements, and a growing pipeline across government and commercial customers.  

Outpost is building the logistics layer that makes space economically useful in a new way: the ability to move material from orbit to Earth quickly, reliably, and affordably. Over time, that supports point-to-point logistics, 10 tons of cargo, anywhere on Earth in an hour. It also creates the foundation for a reusable reentry network and enables new categories of space activity, including in-space manufacturing, supporting AI data centers, advanced manufacturing and novel materials. 

We have a strong foundation, clear demand, and a technical path in front of us. Now the company is scaling rapidly. We are expanding the team, growing our operational footprint, and building the systems needed to execute at the next level. This is a chance to join a company with real traction, working on a problem that matters, at the point where execution and scale begin to define the outcome.

The Role 

The Principal Thermal Protection System Engineer (TPS) will lead the design, analysis, and implementation of the (TPS) for our Carryall reentry vehicle. This role sits at the intersection of high-temperature materials science, aerothermal analysis, and mechanical design. You will own the primary barrier that allows our vehicles to survive the extreme environments of reentry, turning the "impossible" physics of returning from orbit into a repeatable, reusable operation. 

You will work closely with engineering leadership and the mechanical engineering team, to architect a TPS that is robust enough to handle hypersonic heat fluxes and flexible enough to stow and deploy on orbit. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone who is ready to take ownership of a flight-critical subsystem from design through to flight qualification. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead TPS Architecture: Define the TPS architecture and thermal protection strategy for the Carryall vehicle, selecting materials and material stack-ups that balance thermal performance, mass, and mechanical flexibility.
• Thermal Analysis: Support and work alongside our aerothermal dynamics team to guide high-fidelity aeroheating analysis (CFD) and thermal response modeling to validate specifications and predict performance under reentry loads.
• Material Qualification: Lead the testing and characterization of flexible and rigid TPS materials, including arc-jet testing, radiant heat testing, and mechanical load testing.
• Design for Manufacturability: Oversee the transition from theoretical design to flight hardware, managing vendor relationships for TPS materials including fabrics, thermal barriers, and adhesives.
• Validation & Verification: Develop and support the verification plan for the TPS subsystem, ensuring all requirements are met prior to flight.
• Technical Leadership: Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical roadmap for future scaled up re-entry vehicle generations 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering (or related field).
• 10+ years of experience in the development of thermal protection systems, hypersonic aerodynamics, or high-temperature structural materials.
• Deep understanding of heat transfer mechanisms (convection, radiation, conduction) specifically during atmospheric entry.
• Simulation expertise: Proficiency with thermal and ablation modeling tools (e.g., FIAT, CMA, Thermal Desktop, or custom solvers) and analysis software (ANSYS, MATLAB/Python).
• Hands-on experience with hardware testing, specifically environmental or arc-jet testing of TPS materials.
• Proven ability to manage complex trade studies involving mass, volume, and thermal performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex thermal risks to the broader engineering team.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment where requirements may evolve and urgency is key. 

Preferred Experience 

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance (Not required, but beneficial)
• Direct experience with hypersonic vehicle flight hardware from concept to post-flight analysis.
• Familiarity with government or commercial spaceflight standards (NASA/DoD) for thermal protection.
• Experience in a "Design, Build, Fly" environment with rapid iteration cycles. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Competitive compensation: $180,000 - $230,000; (commensurate with experience). 
• Additional Compensation:  Annual performance-based bonuses that reward your impact.
• Shared upside: Meaningful equity in Outpost so you share directly in the value you help create.
• Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your loved ones covered. We cover the base tier of medical insurance and all premiums of vision and dental. 
  
• Protection when it matters: Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind, plus life insurance for even more security.
• PTO: Recharge on your own terms with paid time off, plus 9 days of paid holidays.
• Invest in your future: 401(k) with company match to help you build long-term wealth.
• Fueled for the mission: Daily DoorDash lunch stipend, plus unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea to keep you energized.
• Mission that matters: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from aerospace, new space, and deep-tech industries building the future of orbital infrastructure.
• Pet Friendly Office: Bring your furry friend into the office so that they can be a part of our mission too.
• Monthly Company Happy Hours and Events: Drinks at the local bar, hibachi nights, mini golfing and more!