Astrolab, Inc.
Mechanical Engineer (Vehicle Engineering), Senior or Staff-Level
Be an Early Applicant
Design, develop, test, and operate planetary rovers and related mechanical hardware. Own products throughout their lifecycle, from requirements definition through mission operations. Create models, drawings, analyses, test plans, reports, certification documentation, and operations plans. Develop engineering tools and best practices while collaborating with leadership and mentoring junior engineers, contractors, and interns.
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.
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.
What you'll do:
- 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
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 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
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.
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