Spacecraft Systems Engineer
Astrobotic Technology
Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure to spacecraft navigation, machine vision, and computing systems for in-space robotic applications. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial technology contracts worth more than $600 million.
We recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon, Astrobotic developed and operates reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and continues to advance next-generation VTVL capabilities and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007, Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.
Astrobotic Technology is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support the technical development, testing, and operation of the company’s lunar landers and space systems. This position will support the system engineering development process and be a source of technical guidance to all subsystems. This position reports to the L&S Systems Engineering Manager. An ideal candidate for this role would be capable of supporting and/or leading a program’s systems engineering team.
Note: This position may be filled at multiple levels and in varying systems engineering roles, depending on the candidate’s experience and program needs.
Job Responsibilities:
- Design development for a lunar lander and/or other space-based system
- Managing the concept of operations, mission and system requirements, design configuration, technical budgets, launch vehicle requirements, fault management, interface control, V&V planning, and technical risk and mitigation plan identification, through the entire life cycle of the program
- Provide technical guidance and direction to the system and subsystem engineering teams
- Work side-by-side with the systems engineering team, Mission Director, and key partners and customers
- Support the technical formulation of Interface Definition Documents, Interface Control Documents, integration plans, operation plans for partner and/or payload organizations
- Serve as a primary point of contact between the partner and/or payload engineers
- Support technical proposals for new business and mission opportunities
- Prepare and deliver technical documentation and reports
- Lead technical presentations and/or demonstrations
- Communicate with multiple engineering disciplines, partners, and customers to resolve technical risks and challenges
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in multiple of the following areas: systems engineering, structure/thermal design and analysis, avionics systems, power systems, propulsion system, communication systems, flight software, mission management, S&MA, trajectory analysis, launch vehicle constraints, risk management, and system configuration management
- Strong understanding of the space and launch vehicle mission environments
- BS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or other related fields.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant space mission experience. Advanced degrees may additionally be considered in lieu of professional experience.
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience developing space systems, from feasibility studies through flight and mission operations
- Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams
- Knowledge of Human-rated space systems
- Knowledgeable of System V&V planning
- Knowledgeable of Range Safety compliance
- Knowledgeable of EMI/EMC specifications and verification methods
- Knowledgeable of Model Based Systems Engineering
- Mission Operations experience with space systems or similar
Compensation & Benefits:
The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered will depend on numerous factors, including individual performance, business objectives, and the candidate’s professional & educational experience. Base salary is just one component of Astrobotic’s competitive total rewards strategy.
Our total rewards package for full-time employees includes:
- Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Financial Protection: Company-paid life insurance and AD&D, voluntary short- and long-term disability coverage, plus voluntary life and supplemental insurance options
- Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: Immediate vesting with company match
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible Paid Time Off and company-paid holidays
- Well-Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling, mental health resources, and will preparation services
- Additional Voluntary Benefits: Accident and hospital indemnity coverage, as well as pet insurance
The recruiter assigned to this role can share more details about the specific compensation and benefits during the hiring process.
Export Control Regulations:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person which includes U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) including those individuals granted refugee or asylum status, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Astrobotic Technology, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation:
If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to contact@astrobotic.com.