Demo

Lead Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Engineering

Astrolab
Hawthorne, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/19/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/17/2026

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $157,000 - $190,000 / year

Description

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.

What you'll do:

  • 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

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 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

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

Salary : $157,000 - $190,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Engineering?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Lead Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Engineering career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$108,186 - $133,193
Income Estimation: 
$134,236 - $174,128
Income Estimation: 
$132,162 - $161,329
Income Estimation: 
$132,162 - $161,329
Income Estimation: 
$155,404 - $198,448
Income Estimation: 
$158,725 - $194,124
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Astrolab

  • Astrolab Hawthorne, CA
  • Department: Avionics Location: Hawthorne, California Compensation: $140,000 - $230,000 / year Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We desi... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Astrolab Hawthorne, CA
  • Department: Vehicle Engineering Location: Hawthorne, California Compensation: $100,000 - $157,000 / year Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Compa... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Astrolab Hawthorne, CA
  • Department: Avionics Location: Hawthorne, California Compensation: $160,000 - $240,000 / year Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We desi... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Astrolab Hawthorne, CA
  • Department: Avionics Location: Hawthorne, California Compensation: $140,000 - $230,000 / year Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We desi... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Lead Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Engineering jobs in the Hawthorne, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Astrolab Hawthorne, CA
  • Department: Vehicle Engineering Location: Hawthorne, California Compensation: $100,000 - $157,000 / year Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Compa... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Image Engineering Valencia, CA
  • Description Image Engineering was founded as a company that pushes boundaries, develops new ideas through design, engineering and fabrication, and is a lea... more
  • 1 Month Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!