Contamination Control Engineer

Job Title:

Precision Cleaning Engineer Job Description The Precision Cleaning Engineer ensures that spaceflight hardware meets stringent contamination requirements to enable mission success. In this role, you will work within a spaceflight hardware production and test group, collaborating with a diverse team focused on planning, procuring, inspecting, cleaning, testing, and stocking hardware for space missions. You will apply your expertise in contamination engineering and precision cleaning to develop and execute contamination control strategies, perform hands-on cleaning and verification, and support spacecraft integration, test, and launch activities. Responsibilities Contribute to and review contamination control plans for spaceflight hardware to ensure they meet mission and program requirements. Define and outline cleanliness standards for hardware, processes, and environments, and verify that these standards are consistently achieved. Perform physical hands-on cleaning of spaceflight hardware, including aqueous degreasing and solvent flushing of components with various surface finishes. Formulate contamination budgets and mitigation strategies that support mission objectives and hardware performance requirements. Conduct outgassing and material analysis to assess the suitability of materials and processes for use in space environments. Verify cleanliness levels through particulate counts, non-volatile residue measurements, and black light (UV) inspection techniques. Provide technical support and guidance for precision cleaning, inspection, and verification processes throughout the hardware lifecycle. Collaborate with integration and test teams to provide contamination control expertise for spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and launch activities. Apply knowledge of cleanroom practices and contamination requirements to maintain controlled environments for spaceflight hardware. Support the planning and coordination of contamination control activities related to the procurement, inspection, cleaning, testing, and stocking of spaceflight hardware. Essential Skills Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physics, Materials Engineering, or a related science or engineering field. At least 2 years of experience in Contamination Engineering, including hands-on work in a cleanroom environment. Experience performing precision cleaning, inspection, and verification processes on spaceflight hardware. Experience precision cleaning hardware with solvents and surfactants on spacecraft materials such as metals, composites, and polymers with varying surface finishes. Ability to interpret and apply contamination requirements and cleanliness standards to space hardware and processes. Ability to work occasional overtime or extended shifts, as well as occasional travel, to support mission schedules and critical operations. Strong attention to detail and ability to document procedures, results, and compliance with contamination control plans. Additional Skills & Qualifications Master's degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physics, Materials Engineering, or a related science or engineering field. At least 5 years of experience in Contamination Engineering, including experience with spaceflight hardware. Experience with vacuum testing procedures such as

MSFC-SPEC-1238, ASTM

595, and

ASTM 1559.

Experience in particulate and molecular sampling for analysis in accordance with industry standards such as

IEST-STD-CC1246E.

Familiarity with ISO cleanroom certification standards and their application to spaceflight hardware processing. Expertise in performing contamination transport analysis and modelling to predict and mitigate contamination risks. Hands-on experience with precision cleaning processes, including aqueous degreasing, solvent flushing, and verification techniques such as particulate counting and non-volatile residue measurement. Knowledge of contamination control plans, contamination requirements, and best practices for space hardware and cleanroom operations. Experience working with space hardware and spaceflight environments, including integration and test activities. Work Environment You will work in a specialized spaceflight hardware production and test environment that includes cleanrooms and controlled areas dedicated to contamination-sensitive operations. The role involves frequent interaction with spaceflight hardware, precision cleaning equipment, and inspection tools used for particulate counting, non-volatile residue measurement, and UV (black light) inspection. You will collaborate closely with engineering, integration, and test teams to support hardware planning, procurement, inspection, cleaning, testing, and stocking. The position may require occasional overtime or extended shifts to meet critical mission milestones, as well as occasional travel to support spacecraft integration, test, or launch activities. The work environment emphasizes rigorous adherence to contamination control procedures, cleanroom protocols, and industry standards such as

MSFC-SPEC-1238, ASTM 595, ASTM

1559, IEST-STD-CC1246E, and ISO cleanroom standards. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Laurel, MD. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $69.72 - $76.93/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Laurel,MD.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 18, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.