The Role
Design, analyze, test, and support flight hardware for lunar rover structures, mechanisms, and thermal systems. Responsibilities include defining component requirements, selecting flight hardware, developing vehicle integration flows, and creating qualification and acceptance test plans. The engineer will collaborate across teams and external test facilities to validate mechanical subsystems under lunar operational constraints.
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.
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.
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.
What you'll do:
- 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
What you'll bring:
Basic Qualifications
- 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
Preferred Qualifications
- 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
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 (STEM) field
- 3 or more years of experience in mechanical systems engineering
- Experience using CAD software for part modeling and development
- Experience using finite element modeling and analysis software
- Experience with design for manufacturing and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of parts
- Master's degree in a STEM field
- Experience engineering structures, mechanisms, electromechanical systems, or 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 junior mechanical engineers
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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.
