Job Description

Overview

The Cryogenics Mechanical Engineer will support the space program located in Houston, Texas, contributing to NASA's deep space exploration efforts. The role requires creativity and teamwork to develop systems that benefit both space exploration and life on Earth.

Responsibilities

  • Perform engineering design and analysis for cryogenic components and associated mechanical systems.
  • Develop procurement and fabrication documentation, including Statements of Work and engineering drawings.
  • Coordinate with vendors and fabricators, participate in design reviews, and witness key testing activities.
  • Support facility operations for 20 K helium systems and 80 K liquid nitrogen storage.
  • Provide troubleshooting, maintenance guidance, and technical oversight during equipment assembly and commissioning.
  • Prepare and participate in safety reviews, hazard analyses, and operational procedures.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplined engineering teams and present design and technical findings.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • US Citizenship or Permanent Resident status is required.
  • Experience in the space industry or Department of Defense/Department of War is required.
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering is required.
  • 2+ years of recent progressively responsible mechanical design work experience is required.
  • Experience with mechanical stress analysis of pressure components and mechanical equipment design is required.
  • Knowledge of machining, welding, piping, and pipe fitting practices is required.
  • Ability to positively interact with and support contractors, vendors, and procurement professionals is required.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • This position is located onsite and offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
  • Some travel may be required.
  • Regular attendance in accordance with an established work schedule is critical.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k
PTO

How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Houston, TX currently run a median of $26/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $22–$34/hr across 87 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 360 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 210 different employers. 123 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,424 other active welding openings from 736 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Zachry Group (26), Welding Shop in Houston, TX (25), and Austin Industries (23). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Pasadena at $40/hr, San Angelo at $39/hr, and Midlothian at $38/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Cryogenics Mechanical Engineer figures were last recalculated when this page was built.