The Role
Lead mechanical and structures engineering for planetary rovers and related lunar hardware. Responsibilities include defining design, analysis, and test practices; architecting mechanical and thermal platforms; developing engineering tools; managing priorities through program phases; leading designs from start to finish; and mentoring junior engineers, contractors, and interns.
Summary Generated by Built In
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 Lead Structures Engineer, you and your team 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.
As a Lead Structures Engineer, you and your team 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.
What you'll do:
- Work with leadership and design counterparts to define Astrolab best practices for structures design, analysis, and test
- Design mechanical and thermal platforms at the architectural level
- Build tools and infrastructure to make your team and the company more efficient
- Set team priorities and manage progress through various program phases
- Develop and train junior mechanical engineers
What you'll bring:
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 space industry design principles, finite element analysis methods, test design & execution
- Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards and best practices
- Experience leading a team through a design program start-to-finish
- Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers, contractors, and interns to build an effective design team
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 structural dynamics analysis and test methods
- Experience with thermal analysis methods and tools
Benefits and Perks
- 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
About
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life. Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field
- 4+ years of experience in a design role at a space company
- Experience with space industry design principles
- Experience with finite element analysis methods
- Experience with test design and execution
- Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards and best practices
- Experience leading a team through a design program from start to finish
- Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers, contractors, and interns
- Master's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field
- Experience with NASA technical standards for design, analysis, and test
- Experience with structural dynamics analysis and test methods
- Experience with thermal analysis methods and tools
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The Company
What We Do
Astrolab designs and develops robotic mobility systems for planetary exploration, deploying surface mobility and infrastructure to enable sustained human and commercial operations on the Moon and Mars.
