Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure to spacecraft navigation, machine vision, and computing systems for in-space robotic applications. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial technology contracts worth more than $600 million.

We recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon, Astrobotic developed and operates reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and continues to advance next-generation VTVL capabilities and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007, Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.

This position will help lead the technical development and evolution of Astrobotic’s portfolio of VTVL propulsion technologies and testing capabilities.  This position requires significant propulsion system design and analysis as well as extensive hands-on prototyping and testing experience, ideally including engine testing and flight operations.  Significant experience with bi-propellant cryogenic propulsion systems is required.   This position is part of the propulsion team located in Mojave, CA and will collaborate with the spacecraft propulsion team located in Pittsburgh, PA.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the design and test of new propulsion systems
• Create conceptual and detailed designs of cryogenic propulsion systems including turbomachinery, combustion devices, valves, propellant feed systems, tanks, and pressurization systems. 
• Develop test plans and execute tests for component and integrated system testing. 
• Own all aspects of the integrated main engine system to incorporate it into the flight vehicle architecture.
• Work closely with Chief Engineering Office on technical alignment of propulsion designs with future vehicle or lander architectures.
• Build and execute propulsion system fluid-thermal models to guide design and operational decisions. 
• Develop component and assembly specifications, fabrication and assembly schematics and procedures for engines and GSE. 
• Contribute to technical readiness and safety reviews for testing activities. 
• Create work scopes and estimate labor and material cost requirements to support project management.  

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience (8+ years) with cryogenic propulsion systems design and testing
• Taken propulsion system components through the entire development and test lifecycle, preferably as a Responsible Engineer or team lead  
• Experience with turbo-pump engine cycles and integration with combustion devices
• Experience in propulsion system design, analysis, manufacture, integration, and test
• Knowledge of propulsion system cycles and performing system-level engine modeling 
• NASA propulsion and fluid system design and analysis software (GFSSP, ROCETS, ROCCID) 
• Solid modeling and design (Solidworks)
• Awareness of regulatory safety requirements (e.g., OSHA, FAA)  
• Great attitude in the face of technical challenges 

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with Methane & LOX propulsion systems
• Experience leveraging additive manufacturing in engine design  
• Analytical/scientific programming (Python, C/C++, Matlab)  
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (Ansys FLUENT), including conjugate heat transfer
• Thermal design and analysis using system level and 3D modeling tools (Ansys) 
• Hands-on fabrication skills and a willingness to be hands-on with pathfinder hardware  
• Familiarity with explosive hazard calculations   
• Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems and certifications, primarily AS9100   
• Fortran programming language   
• Test facility design, assembly, and operation 

Note: This position may be filled at multiple levels

Salary

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.

Benefits:

Benefits include Medical, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, voluntary life insurance, FSA Plans, 401k and open PTO.

Export Control Regulations:

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 or U.S. person which includes U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) including those individuals granted refugee or asylum status, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation:

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.