Mechanical Engineer; Vehicle Engineering), Senior or -Level

Mechanical Engineer (Vehicle Engineering), Senior or Staff-Level

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Andrew Welter

Compensation: $130,000 - $219,000 / 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.

As a Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer, you will design, develop, test, and operate planetary rovers and related hardware. You will be responsible for producing high-performance designs for challenging environments, with cradle-to-grave accountability. You will have the opportunity to develop and mentor other engineers while working on novel, complex mechanical systems.

• Design mechanical systems (structures, mechanisms, electro-mechanical, thermal, etc.) at both architectural and detailed levels
• Own hardware products through the entire life cycle, from requirements definition all the way through to operational mission success and beyond
• Produce detailed design documentation, including models, drawings, analysis packages, test plans, test reports, certification compliance, operations plans, and more
• Build tools and infrastructure to make your team and the company more efficient
• Work with leadership and design counterparts to define Astrolab best practices for design, analysis, and test

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field
• 4+ years of experience in a design role at a space company
• Experience with CAD modeling and analytical skills (FEA, MATLAB, etc.)
• Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards and best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field
• Experience with NASA technical standards for design, analysis, and test
• Experience with integrated systems and test of complex structures, mechanisms, deployables, electro-mechanical systems, thermal hardware, etc.
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis methods and tools, kinematics & dynamics analysis, adjacent systems experience (power electronics, motor control, fluids, loads & dynamics, etc.)
• Ability to mentor and develop more junior engineers, contractors, and interns

• 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