Environment Control and Life Support System Engineer

Cambrian Space; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stake

Job summary

Cambrian Space in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Engineer to lead development of life support and thermal control hardware for a human-rated lunar habitat. You will design, analyze, test, and manufacture critical life support components, work across disciplines, and ensure manufacturability and reliability through design reviews and cross-functional collaboration.

This role requires extended hours and occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering OR high school diploma with 2 years relevant experience.
• 3+ years of experience with fluid, mechanical, environmental control systems, or components (internship/project experience allowed).
• 1+ year of experience leading an engineering team.
• ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen/national, permanent resident, refugee/asylee or eligible to obtain authorizations.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualization, design, and build of life support and thermal control systems.
• Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and testing.
• Lead project delivery from design through production and operations.
• Lead design reviews with suppliers and customers.
• Ensure integration with avionics, software, and mission operations.

Skills

Fluid systems

Environmental control systems

Thermal control

Leadership

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

NX

ABAQUS

ANSYS

GD&T

Job description

Requisition Number: 10010

Time Commitment: Extended hours and occasional weekends as needed

Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $95,000 – $175,000

Security Clearance: ITAR Compliance

Level of Experience: Entry/Early Career/Mid/Senior

Who We Are

Cambrian Space is building a human-rated lunar habitat platform to enable a sustained human presence on the Moon and the lunar industrial economy that will follow.

Our habitats are built around life. We engineer the conditions people take for granted on Earth (breathable air, stable pressure, controlled temperature and humidity) and make them dependable in one of the harshest environments humans have ever tried to live in.

An economy beyond Earth depends on people being able to stay there. We’re building the infrastructure that makes that possible, starting on the Moon.

Visit cambrianspace.com to learn more about Cambrian Space.

About The Role

As an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Engineer, you will be the subject matter expert on all life support components and their production. This opportunity will utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. Your team will develop the necessary hardware to maintain environmental and thermal control as well as support life inside the human-rated lunar habitat. Your team's work will adhere to the highest rigor of standards in order to sustain human life on the Moon. The role requires cross-disciplinary attention, as it involves designing, analyzing, testing, and manufacturing components critical to the safety of future inhabitants. You will work with other engineers to support these goals and have the opportunity to contribute to the cutting-edge technology that will support life on other planets. The position is based in Los Angeles, CA.

What You’ll Own

• Conceptualization, design, and build of creative life support and thermal control systems for Cambrian Space’s lunar habitat, across disciplines such as fans and air distribution, air sanitation, water collection and reclamation, waste management, fire suppression, and active thermal control.
• Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and development testing in a fast-paced environment
• Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, launch, and sustained operations.
• Lead design reviews internally and externally with suppliers and customers
• Work with interdisciplinary customers to ensure the component will integrate with the necessary avionics, software, mission operations, etcetera
• Ensure designs are manufacturable and reliable
• Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your own work

Minimum Qualifications

Degree Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline OR High School Diploma or equivalent and 2 years of relevant experience

Experience

• 3+ years of experience working with fluid systems, mechanical systems, environmental control systems, or components (internship and project team experience is applicable)
• 1+ years of experience leading an engineering team

Security

• ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Travel

Little required (<10%), but there may be opportunities for travel if interested

Commitment

• Must be able to work extended hours and occasional weekends as needed

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 3+ years of leadership experience, either leading people or multidisciplinary complex projects.
• Prior experience working in human-rated space flight systems
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make clear recommendations even with partial information
• Experience with rotating machinery
• Experienced in NX
• Solid understanding and application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience with structural analysis methods (hand calcs, ABAQUS, ANSYS) in order to optimize hardware to strength requirements as well as to evaluate for life and fracture
• Knowledge of metallic and fluid system manufacturing techniques, processes, equipment, and other processes such as machining, welding, brazing, tube bending, etc.
• Experience with selection of materials considering engineering properties, manufacturing, and fluid compatibility
• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers
• Highly self-motivated with strong organizational and written/oral communication skills – able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with the ongoing drive for continuous improvement in all aspects of work

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or lab bench
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 – 50 lbs without assistance
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as soldering, connector mating, probing circuits, and handling small electronic components

Why Join as a Founding Team Member

• Direct access to founders and leadership – no layers!
• Ownership of systems end-to-end, from concept to flight
• Shape the engineering culture, processes, and tools
• Work on hardware that will support human life on the Moon
• Equity stake with real upside as we grow

Other Benefits

Salary is just one part of your total rewards package! You may also be eligible for:

• Long-Term Incentives – company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Discretionary Bonuses – potential annual performance-based bonuses
• Comprehensive Health Benefits – medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance – available for qualified candidates
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – eligible employees can enroll and contribute to a 401(k) plan through the company

The salary range listed reflects what Cambrian Space reasonably expects to pay for this role, based on its location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, we consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to the role’s function and the candidate’s education or training, work experience, and key skills.

Cambrian Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment with Cambrian Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualification and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $95,000 – $175,000 per year.