Lead Materials & Process Engineer (NASA LTVS Contingent)
Astrolab
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 146k-195k / year
Posted on Oct 7, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
Our design team works collaboratively to design and implement exceptional engineering solutions to enable off-planet exploration. As a Materials & Process Engineer within that team, you will work toward building & implementing conventional and novel materials and process solutions to ensure that delivered hardware meets project requirements. This position will collaborate with all engineering disciplines & supply chain during the design process. You will report to our Chief Engineer.
*Employment in this role is contingent on Astrolab being selected as a winner of NASA’s LTVS program, scheduled for announcement on November 15, 2025.
*Employment in this role is contingent on Astrolab being selected as a winner of NASA’s LTVS program, scheduled for announcement on November 15, 2025.
- Department
- Vehicle Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $146,000 - $195,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Rius Billing
What You'll Do:
- Build internal material specifications and process specifications that support manufacturing & ensure quality, specifically NASA-STD-6016 tailoring
- Create and maintain Material Usage Agreements (MUL)
- Create and maintain the Material Identification Usage List (MIUL)
- Identify critical processes and hazards concerning:
- Contamination Control Plan
- Corrosion prevention and control plan
- Nondestructive Evaluation Plan
- Fracture Control Plan
- Conducts analysis to characterize performance or determine reasons for failure of tools, materials, parts, or processes
- Coordinate design requirements & standard methodologies for all hardware on the vehicle
- Lead & coordinate testing for method development, materials characterization, allowable generation, and design validation
- Serve as the M&P representative (Signatory Authority) in design reviews, the production drawing release cycle for hardware components/assemblies, & Material Review Board (MRB) issues
- Partner with the Program Management Organization (PMO) to implement a build plan
- Create technical documentation and input for data packages and reviews, including those to be delivered to customers, such as NASA
- Maintain compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations
- Implement corrective and preventive actions
What’s Prepared You:
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science
- Preferred Master’s or Doctorate in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or physics
- 9+ years of work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience in analyzing technical data and providing clear written and verbal presentations of the results
- 3+ years of experience in component engineering, failure analysis, reliability engineering, Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA) testing or Materials & Processes (M&P)
- Experience working in an interdisciplinary team to identify and implement solutions for complex testing and characterization efforts
- Technical report writing and presentation experience
Additional Responsibilities
- Must be able to lift 500 lbs
What We Offer:
- Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Ownership in the company
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with matching
- Flexible time off and parental leave
- On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
- Flexible work environment
About Astrolab
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.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Stage 3:
NDA
Stage 4:
Video Interviews
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
