Mechanical Engineer; Vehicle Engineering), Entry to Mid-Level

Mechanical Engineer (Vehicle Engineering), Entry to Mid-Level

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Andrew Welter

Compensation: $100,000 - $157,000 / year

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

The Astrolab design team works collaboratively to design, develop and implement exceptional engineering solutions to enable off planet exploration. As a Mechanical Engineer within that team, you will be responsible for the design, development, test, flight, and operation of novel structures, mechanisms, and thermal hardware critical to the Astrolab lunar rover. You will report to our mechanical engineering manager.

• Collaborate with the engineering design team to understand the mechanical needs of the Astrolab rover, leveraging experience to contribute to the evolution of the design
• Design and analysis of mechanical systems at the full system, sub system, and component level using software simulation methods and experimental test data
• Define component requirements, understand lunar operational constraints and effectively communicate these within the team
• Make flight hardware selection decisions and develop the build flow for integrating this hardware into the vehicle for flight
• Develop test plans to validate and qualify mechanical subsystems for flight, coordinating with both in-house and external test facilities to execute testing

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical system engineering
• Experience using CAD software for part modeling and development
• Experience using software packages for finite element modeling and analysis
• Experience in design for manufacturing and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of parts

• Master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field
• Experience in the engineering of structures, mechanisms, electro-mechanical systems, thermal hardware
• Experience planning and executing flight hardware development programs from the ground up
• Experience specifying and executing hardware qualification and acceptance test programs
• Ability to mentor and develop more junior mechanical engineers to build an effective design team

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks