Lead Materials & Process Engineer; NASA LTVS Contingent

Overview

Lead Materials & Process Engineer (NASA LTVS Contingent)

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Rius Billing

Compensation: $146,000 - $195,000 / year

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team. Our design team works collaboratively to design and implement exceptional engineering solutions to enable off-planet exploration.

As a Materials & Process Engineer within that team, you will work toward building & implementing conventional and novel materials and process solutions to ensure that delivered hardware meets project requirements. This position will collaborate with all engineering disciplines & supply chain during the design process. You will report to our Chief Engineer.

* Employment in this role is contingent on Astrolab being selected as a winner of NASA’s LTVS program, scheduled for announcement on November 15, 2025.

• Build internal material specifications and process specifications that support manufacturing & ensure quality, specifically NASA-STD-6016 tailoring
• Create and maintain Material Usage Agreements (MUL)
• Create and maintain the Material Identification Usage List (MIUL)
• Identify critical processes and hazards concerning:
  • Contamination Control Plan
  • Corrosion prevention and control plan
  • Nondestructive Evaluation Plan
  • Fracture Control Plan
• Conduct analysis to characterize performance or determine reasons for failure of tools, materials, parts, or processes
• Coordinate design requirements & standard methodologies for all hardware on the vehicle
• Lead & coordinate testing for method development, materials characterization, allowable generation, and design validation
• Serve as the M&P representative (Signatory Authority) in design reviews, the production drawing release cycle for hardware components/assemblies, & Material Review Board (MRB) issues
• Partner with the Program Management Organization (PMO) to implement a build plan
• Create technical documentation and input for data packages and reviews, including those to be delivered to customers, such as NASA
• Maintain compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations
• Implement corrective and preventive actions

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science
  • Preferred Master’s or Doctorate in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or physics
• 9+ years of work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in analyzing technical data and providing clear written and verbal presentations of the results
• 3+ years of experience in component engineering, failure analysis, reliability engineering, Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA) testing or Materials & Processes (M&P)
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary team to identify and implement solutions for complex testing and characterization efforts
• Technical report writing and presentation experience

Additional Responsibilities

• Must be able to lift 500 lbs

• Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Ownership in the company
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with matching
• Flexible time off and parental leave
• On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
• Flexible work environment