Sr. Engineering Technician

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Rob Garcia

Compensation: $40.00 - $50.00 / hour

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.

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.

Astrolab is seeking a highly skilled Senior Engineering Technician to support the assembly, integration, functional testing, and development of advanced aerospace and spaceflight hardware. This role requires extensive hands‑on experience with mechanical sub‑assemblies, electrical harnesses, avionics, structural components, and integrated hardware systems.

The Senior Engineering Technician will work closely with Engineering, Production, Avionics, and Test teams to build and integrate complex rover hardware, execute functional tests, troubleshoot technical issues, and support development and qualification activities. This individual will be expected to work independently from engineering drawings, procedures, and technical requirements while maintaining a high standard of workmanship, configuration control, and hardware traceability.

The ideal candidate brings broad technical expertise across mechanical and electrical systems, understands the importance of disciplined aerospace assembly practices, and can serve as a technical resource for other technicians while helping bridge the gap between engineering development and production execution.

• Perform complex mechanical assembly and integration of aerospace hardware, including structural assemblies, brackets, mechanisms, enclosures, and rover sub‑systems
• Interpret engineering drawings, assembly models, bills of materials, work instructions, and engineering specifications to execute hardware builds accurately
• Install mechanical fasteners, bearings, bushings, inserts, seals, and other precision components using appropriate assembly techniques and calibrated tooling
• Perform precision fitting, alignment, dimensional verification, and mechanical adjustments as required
• Apply proper torque procedures, fastener locking methods, witness marking, and hardware handling practices in accordance with engineering requirements
• Identify assembly discrepancies, tolerance issues, damaged components, and design‑for‑assembly concerns; coordinate resolution with Engineering

• Integrate structural hardware, avionics components, electrical harnesses, sensors, actuators, and associated interfaces into complex aerospace systems
• Route, dress, secure, and inspect harnesses to meet engineering requirements for clearance, bend radius, strain relief, abrasion protection, and serviceability
• Verify mechanical interfaces, connector engagement, harness pinouts, and component installation against approved documentation
• Coordinate with Avionics and Electrical Engineering to resolve integration conflicts, interface issues, and installation challenges
• Support rover‑level integration activities, including the installation and interconnection of structural,…