Mechanical Technician

Intuitive Machines is seeking a senior Mechanical/Electromechanical Technician to join our team. This position will be located on-site at the IM Mechanisms Annex in Hanover, 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, deployable systems, optical adjustment mechanisms, robotic tools and robotic manipulators. The work focus is on space flight mechanisms to support a variety of missions in cislunar space as well as on the lunar surface.

The ideal candidate will also have hands-on experience and a willingness to get involved in engineering tasks including test fixture design, part and equipment procurement, testing and data collection. The laboratory environment is a high-bay where space flight mechanisms are assembled and tested. Commonly used equipment in this setting includes a flow bench, ESD workstation, precision cleaning station, epoxy mixing/dispensing station, machining station, precision assembly tools and gages, and inventories of space flight hardware and fasteners.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the assembly of precision space flight mechanisms
• Assist in the design and development of mechanical ground support equipment, test equipment, and tooling
• Construct and calibrate test fixtures
• Support and conduct environmental testing of space flight mechanisms to include test plans, test execution, and test results evaluation
• Set up and use test data collection devices including sensors and data acquisition systems
• Generate work orders and test procedures
• Use sensors and data acquisition systems to collect and analyze test performance data from a variety of space flight mechanisms
• Devise ways to automate and otherwise improve test procedures for efficiency and repeatability
• Organize and inventory laboratory tools, supplies, and consumable items
• Status and maintain inventory of consumable laboratory equipment such as solvents, cleanroom supplies, fasteners and inserts, wiring, etc. Manage procurements for supply replenishment
• Manage tool calibration contracts, keeping track of when tools are due for calibration; deliver to and receive from local calibration service providers; maintain calibration status in tool calibration database
• Maintain and renew laboratory service contracts such as gaseous and liquid nitrogen supply vendors
• Perform research and price comparisons for acquisition of new laboratory equipment; present findings and make recommendations to engineering team and company leadership
• Order, receive and set up laboratory equipment and maintain the laboratory budget report.

A candidate for this position will be encouraged to take on as much responsibility as practical and will be expected to play a role in supplier relationships, procurement and fabrication management, procedure development, contamination control, and hands-on assembly and testing. The preferred candidate will be willing to take on stretch assignments that involve engineering tasks such as design and analysis.

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• A four-year degree is not required for this position, but a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience and work in an engineering lab environment (aerospace, industrial, robotic) is required
• Experience with mechanical and electromechanical assembly and test
• Use and handling of precision tools and instruments
• Familiarity with standard engineering lab practices and systems such as tool calibration systems, bonded stores, cleanroom and Electrostatic Discharge Control protocols, handling of solvents, use of pressurized inert gases, and precision cleaning
• Experience with common shop tools, metrology equipment, force & torque sensors, small machine tools, mixing and dispensing equipment, precision cleaning equipment
• Experience with mixing and application of adhesives, epoxies, and conformal coating compounds
• Experience setting up and/or operating machine tools such as milling machines and lathes
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite
• Experience with Nonconformance tracking and closure protocols (NCR’s, Root Cause & Corrective Actions, Material Review Boards, Failure Review Boards)
• Experience in generating and closing work orders, job travelers, etc.

Preferences

• Knowledge/experience with Lab View with ability to set up data acquisition systems (e.g. National Instruments DAQs) is a plus. Commonly encountered sensors may include force and torque transducers, strain gages, accelerometers, pressure transducers, flow meters, LVDTs
• Soldering and Cable, Crimp & Harness skills
• Experience with CAD, preferably Solidworks and Creo

Essential Requirements

• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Excellent organizational skills
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Embraces Intuitive Machines core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence
• Ability and willingness to work under compressed and aggressive delivery schedules
• Teamwork - Eager and able to work in a collaborative and cross-disciplinary fashion in a fast-paced, dynamic and deadline-oriented environment

US EEO Statement

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.