SME Mechanisms Engineer - Lunar Terrain Vehicle

SME Mechanisms Engineer - Lunar Terrain Vehicle 

(NASA LTVS Award Contingent)

Salary: $95,000 - $203,000 based on experience & background (Across multiple levels)

Glen Burnie, MD 

About Intuitive Machines  

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety. 

Excellent benefits package, including 26 days of paid vacation and up to 7 paid holidays. Eligible for health care (single and family) on your first day of employment. 401(k) plan with employer match available. 

Full-time position - apply now! 

About The Position  

We are looking for skilled Mechanisms Engineers to join our team. This position will be located on-site at the IM Mechanisms Annex in Glen Burnie, Maryland.  The Mechanisms Engineer will work in a cross-functional team on the design, development, manufacture and test of space flight and ground support mechanisms, such as motor-driven actuators, payload deployers, antenna deployment and articulation devices, gimbal systems, launch hold-down systems, optical adjustment mechanisms, robotic manipulators and tools, and fluid couplings for cryogenic and rocket propellant systems.

The engineer will assist in the concept development, design, build and test of a variety of articulation and deployment mechanisms associated with Intuitive Machines’ vehicles and landers. 

*Employment in this role is contingent upon NASA selecting Intuitive Machines as the winner of the LTVS program, scheduled for announcement later in 2025. 

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise in all areas of layout, design, manufacturing, implementation and performance verification of space mechanisms.  Areas of expertise include bearings, geartrains, actuators and motorized systems, SADAs, gimbals, deployment mechanisms, satellite separation systems, tribology, etc.
• Define system architecture, design standards, and verification methods for rover mechanisms
• Develop, track, and assume accountability for program-level and component-level schedules and labor/material budgets
• Develop program level mechanism verification plans and decompose plans down to the component level
• Oversee and advise on design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments
• Develop and evaluate performance specifications for Stepper/BLDC actuators, feedback devices, and control systems
• Guide supplier selection and manage relationships with machine shops, actuator vendors, and seal/gear suppliers
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges, providing failure analysis and design improvements
• Mentor and train junior, mid-level, and senior engineers in mechanism design practices, tools, and methods
• Represent the LTV program in customer-facing design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and proposal efforts
• Influence the long-term roadmap for mechanisms engineering at Intuitive Machines

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (M.S./Ph.D. strongly preferred)
• 20 years of experience in mechanical/electromechanical system design, testing, and delivery
• Deep expertise in bearing design, geartrain analysis, seal systems, lubrication, stepper and brushless DC actuators and controllers
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end flight hardware procurements, vendors, budgets, and schedules
• Advanced proficiency with Creo and Windchill
• Proficiency with ASME Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) 
• Experience with performance requirements development for mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Experience with standard practices for assembly and environmental testing of space flight mechanisms as well as the tooling and ground support equipment associated with these tests
• Experience with commonly used space and commercial specifications for materials, processes, fasteners, mechanical components, connectors, wiring, etc.
• Experience with common space industry additive and conventional metallic and composite manufacturing processes
• Experience with industry-standard mechanisms analysis tools including motion simulation software and finite element analysis tools
• Recognized expertise in bearing and gear design, seal systems, and actuator development
• Proven track record of leading complex mechanism programs through full lifecycle (concept → test → flight)

Preferred

• Prior technical leadership roles in rover, spacecraft, or planetary exploration missions
• Published or peer-recognized contributions in spacecraft mechanisms including such topics as tribology, powertrains, robotics, bearings, fluid couplings, actuator systems, etc.
• Experience developing hardware for extreme environments (space, lunar, deep-sea, high-radiation)
• Proven ability to advise executives and program managers on engineering trade-offs and long-term strategy
• Background in mentoring and developing engineering teams at multiple levels

EEOC

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.