Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

Lead Mechanical Engineer - Vehicle Engineering

Engineering LeadershipUpdated on Nov 13

Full-timeHawthorne, CA, USA$157k - $190k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field is required.
At least 4 years of experience in a design role at a space company is required.
Experience with space industry design principles, finite element analysis methods, and test design and execution is required.
Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards and best practices is required.
Experience leading a team through a design program from start to finish is required.
Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers, contractors, and interns to build an effective design team is required.

Responsibilities

Work with leadership and design counterparts to define best practices for structures design, analysis, and test.
Design mechanical and thermal platforms at the architectural level.
Build tools and infrastructure to improve team and company efficiency.
Set team priorities and manage progress through various program phases.
Develop and train junior mechanical engineers.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field is preferred.
Experience with NASA technical standards for design, analysis, and test is preferred.
Experience with structural dynamics analysis and test methods is preferred.
Experience with thermal analysis methods and tools is preferred.

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.

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

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

About the Company

Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

Astrolab designs and builds modular rovers for lunar and extraterrestrial surface missions. Its flagship FLEX rover is a modular, reusable vehicle that can transport cargo, equipment, and crew across the Moon. The system works by using interchangeable payload modules on a shared rover chassis, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different mission profiles—from cargo delivery to astronaut transport—without needing a new vehicle. The rover is designed to be compatible with existing and planned space infrastructure, including NASA’s Artemis program, enabling integration with governmental and commercial lunar operations. What sets Astrolab apart is its emphasis on a single, adaptable platform with modular payloads that can handle a range of tasks and mission profiles, rather than many specialized, single-use machines. The company aims to enable a sustained lunar presence and expanded human activity beyond Earth by providing reliable, flexible surface mobility.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Hawthorne, CA
Founded: 2019

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