Payloads Integration Engineer (NASA LTVS Contingent)

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Alastiar Valentine

Compensation: $125,000 - $170,000 / year

Description

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. 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.

We are seeking a Payload Integration Engineer to join our team, focusing on integrating complex payloads into rover platforms. This role is crucial for the successful assembly, testing, and launch of our space missions. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with spacecraft systems and a deep understanding of the technical challenges of integrating sensitive, high-value payloads.

• Employment in this role is contingent on Astrolab being selected as a winner of NASA’s LTVS program.*
  
  

What You’ll Do

• Integration: Own the integration of full payload systems, interfacing with avionics and software teams to ensure payloads are mounted, harnesses are correctly routed, and components are functional from the design and through protoqualification.
• Design and Analysis: Develop flight payload structures, understanding packaging constraints, necessary vehicle placement, and proximity to other system components and payloads. Conduct thermal, structural, and vibration analysis using FEA tools (e.g., FEMAP, Ansys, NASTRAN). Perform first-order analysis and hand calculations.
• Prototyping and Testing: Lead the design, fabrication, and assembly of payload structural assemblies. Develop and execute test plans for environmental qualification, including TVAC, Vibration, Shock, Acoustic, and EMI testing.
• Materials Selection: Select appropriate materials and processes for payload assemblies, considering factors such as mass, thermal properties, and resistance to radiation, EMI, and outgassing in a vacuum environment.
• Documentation: Create and maintain detailed design documentation, including 3D models, 2D drawings, and test reports.
• Collaboration: Work closely with electrical engineers, manufacturing teams, and program managers to ensure designs meet all performance, schedule, and cost requirements.
  
  

What’s Prepared You

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: Experience: 3 years of experience in satellite, spacecraft, or similar complex system integration.
  
  

Technical Skills

• FEA Expertise: Proficient in finite element analysis (FEA) software for thermal and structural analysis.
• CAD Proficiency: Strong skills in 3D CAD software (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, Creo).
• Knowledge of Materials: In-depth knowledge of materials used in aerospace, including aluminum alloys, composites, and thermal interface materials.
• Testing: Demonstrated experience with spacecraft hardware and tooling.
• Cleanroom procedures: Familiarity with working in cleanroom environments and following strict contamination control protocols.
• Payload and Instrumentation: Experience with specific types of payloads (e.g., optical sensors, communication antennas, scientific instruments).
  
  

Additional Skills

• Knowledge of launch vehicle and range safety requirements.
• Experience with configuration management and quality assurance processes in a space environment.
• Experience with wiring harness design and production.
• Basic scripting skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for test automation and data analysis are a plus.
  
  

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