Astrolab

Designs modular lunar rovers for exploration

Lead Simulation Engineer

Engineering LeadershipUpdated on Nov 13

Full-time$142k - $235k /yrRemote

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience architecting and developing real-time or accelerated (faster-than-real-time) simulations of complex systems, such as spacecraft, aircraft, automobiles, robotic systems, or similar platforms, including development of vehicle and/or subsystem models, operating environment models, and simulation infrastructure.
Experience leading simulation development efforts and integrating simulation environments with vehicle software, embedded software, or flight software running in software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), or similar testing environments.

Responsibilities

Direct the technical work of the simulation team, including development of simulation infrastructure and vehicle models, and integration of simulation with vehicle software and automated integrated test tools.
Support long-term strategic planning of simulation scope and capabilities with the larger software team and manage short-term tactical priorities while performing hands-on work, especially simulation-tool integration and performance improvements.
Work with GNC and software team stakeholders to define the architecture of the GNC and flight software (FSW) verification simulation environment.
Work with GNC and software team stakeholders to determine simulation milestones and development priorities based on stakeholder needs and vehicle schedule.
Manage day-to-day simulation development by defining sprint priorities, assigning tasks to developers, and ensuring tasks are completed on schedule for each agreed-upon milestone.
Develop and execute a simulation verification and validation (V&V) plan to ensure appropriate V&V levels for each milestone delivery to stakeholders.
Support development of environment, vehicle, and hardware models to ensure the appropriate elements are modeled at the proper level of fidelity.
Provide technical support for integrating simulation with the GNC prototype environment, vehicle FSW running in software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop modes, and FSW test infrastructure.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with simulation verification and validation (V&V), Monte Carlo or statistical performance analysis, and performance optimization for real-time or accelerated simulation execution.
Experience developing vehicle dynamics models, including rigid-body and/or flexible-body dynamics, suspension systems, terramechanics, and numerical integration techniques.
Experience developing simulations for extraterrestrial rovers or planetary surface vehicles, including relevant planetary environment models such as lunar gravity, Mars gravity, atmospheric, or terrain models.
Experience modeling sensors, actuators, and associated error sources.
Experience implementing fault-injection capabilities in simulation environments.
Proficiency in C++ and Python software development.
Experience planning work scope, establishing technical milestones, and guiding simulation teams to successful delivery.

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 lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation team, including development of the simulation infrastructure, vehicle models, and integration of the simulation with vehicle software and automated integrated test tools. The lead simulation engineer will support long-term strategic planning of simulation scope and capabilities with the larger software team and manage the short term tactical priorities. This position is a technical leadership position with an expectation that the lead will also be doing hands on work as part of the simulation team, especially in the realm of integration with other tools and simulation performance improvements.

Work with GNC and software team stakeholders to define the architecture of Astrolab’s GNC and flight software (FSW) verification simulation environment
Work with GNC and software team stakeholders to determine simulation milestones and development priorities based on stakeholder needs and vehicle schedule
Manage day to day simulation development to ensure the defined architecture is delivered on time to stakeholders for each agreed-upon milestone, including defining sprint priorities, assigning tasks to developers, and ensuring tasks are completed on schedule
Develop simulation verification and validation (V&V) plan and execute the plan to ensure that the simulation has appropriate levels of V&V for each milestone delivery to stakeholders
Support development of environment, vehicle, and hardware models to ensure the right elements are modeled to the proper level of fidelity
Provide significant technical support for integrating the simulation with the GNC prototype environment, vehicle FSW running in software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop modes, and with FSW test infrastructure

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience architecting and developing real-time or accelerated (faster-than-real-time) simulations of complex systems, such as spacecraft, aircraft, automobiles, robotic systems, or similar platforms. Experience must include development of vehicle and/or subsystem models, operating environment models, and simulation infrastructure
Experience leading simulation development efforts and integrating simulation environments with vehicle software, embedded software, or flight software running in software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), or similar testing environments

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with simulation verification and validation (V&V), Monte Carlo or statistical performance analysis, and performance optimization for real-time or accelerated simulation execution
Experience developing vehicle dynamics models, including rigid-body and/or flexible-body dynamics, suspension systems, terramechanics, and numerical integration techniques
Experience developing simulations for extraterrestrial rovers or planetary surface vehicles, including the use of relevant planetary environment models such as lunar gravity, Mars gravity, atmospheric, or terrain models
Experience modeling sensors, actuators, and associated error sources
Experience implementing fault-injection capabilities in simulation environments
Proficiency in C++ and Python software development
Experience planning work scope, establishing technical milestones, and guiding simulation teams to successful delivery

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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