Vehicle And Component Test Engineer

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. is a space robotics company that seeks to make space accessible to the world. The company’s suite of lunar landers delivers payloads to the Moon for companies, governments, universities, non-profits, and individuals. The company is also developing advanced space robotics capabilities such as terrain relative navigation, mobile robotics for lunar surface operations, and reliable computing systems for mission-critical applications. Originally spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in 2007, Astrobotic is pioneering affordable planetary access that promises to spark a new era of exploration, science, tourism, resource utilization, and mining. Astrobotic’s headquarters is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a second location in Mojave, California.

Astrobotic is enabling sustainable access and utilization of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Through the recent acquisition of Masten Space Systems, we’ve been building and flying reusable rockets for nearly two decades with the most successful rocket-powered landings in the industry. We work directly with NASA, defense, and commercial customers to develop the tech it takes to break down the barriers to space. Together, we’ll make wild napkin ideas possible by taking them from the lab to the test site, all the way to the lunar surface and beyond. 

This position will be involved in development and evolution of Astrobotic's portfolio of propulsion technologies and testing capabilities. Applicants should have a background in vehicle development, qualification, and ground and flight testing.

Job Responsibilities:  

• Support the integrated, qualification and acceptance testing of vehicle components/assemblies, including propulsion systems, avionics hardware, pressurant systems, and structural components.
• Write test plans and reports, design/analyze test fixturing to support both on and off vehicle testing, and hold test readiness and data reviews.
• Support the development and maintenance of the V&V and requirement verification matrix with the Systems Engineering team
• Ensure system solutions are flight worthy prior to test and flight operations.
• Work with the Structures, Mechanisms, Integration and Test lead to optimize when and how on vehicle testing is performed to best support vehicle assembly timeline.
• As required, support tests performed by external suppliers as the responsible engineer for a given component/system.
• Collaborate with functional engineering teams to ensure test and requirement verification objectives are achieved with test plans.
• Specify appropriate instrumentation to capture Vehicle and Component performance that balances cost and data fidelity.
• As part of test data reviews, provide and assess Vehicle and Component performance, including failure analysis and identifying critical failure modes, effects, and design solutions to mitigate test failures.

 Required Skills & Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of integrated vehicle or Component Test.
• Familiarity with product development and vehicle design.
• Familiarity in systems engineering, including requirement validation and verification thru test.
• Good working knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineering.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:  

• An understanding of VTVL vehicle design and operations
• Understands what is — and what is not — needed for high reliability VTVL systems, including knowledge of MIL-STD-1522, NASA-STD-5012 and FAA Guide to Verifying Safety-Critical Structures for Reusable Launch and Reentry Vehicles.
• Familiarity with DO-160 for and/or DO-178.
• Hands-on experience performing component and system qualification testing and/or directing technicians

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for this position will depend on numerous factors including individual performance, business objectives, and the candidates professional experience. Base salary is just one component of Astrobotic’s competitive total rewards strategy.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to contact@astrobotic.com