Lead Mechanical Engineer, Structures

Astrolab; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible PTO and parental leave

Weekly lunch stipend

Home office set up reimbursement

Job summary

Astrolab in Hawthorne, California, is seeking a motivated Lead Structures Engineer to design and develop planetary rovers. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, 5+ years of aerospace design experience, and a passion for pioneering space exploration.

You will work with a talented team, focusing on high-performance designs and mentoring junior engineers. Benefits include equity ownership, comprehensive health benefits, and flexible PTO.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a design role at an aerospace company.
• Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards.
• Proven experience leading a team through a design program start‑to‑finish.

Responsibilities

• Work with leadership to define best practices for structures design.
• Build tools and infrastructure for team efficiency.
• Develop and train structures engineers.

Skills

Structural design principles

Finite element analysis methods

Mentoring and training

Thermal analysis methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Applicable advanced degree

Job description

Compensation

$150,000 - $169,000 / year

Department

Vehicle Engineering

Location

Hawthorne, California

Description

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi‑purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world‑class team.

As a Lead Structures Engineer, you and your team will design, develop, test, and operate planetary rovers and related hardware. You will be responsible for producing high‑performance designs for challenging environments, with cradle‑to‑grave accountability. You will have the opportunity to develop and mentor other engineers while working on novel, complex mechanical systems.

What you’ll do

• Work with leadership and design counterparts to define Astrolab best practices for structures design, analysis, and test.
• Design mechanical and thermal platforms at the architectural level.
• Build tools and infrastructure to make your team and the company more efficient.
• Set team priorities and manage progress through various program phases.
• Develop and train structures engineers.

What you’ll bring

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in a design role at an aerospace company.
• Experience with structural design principles, finite element analysis methods, structural test design.
• Experience developing hardware to meet space industry design standards and best practices.
• Proven experience leading a team through a design program start‑to‑finish.
• Ability to mentor and develop more junior engineers, contractors, and interns to build an effective design team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicable advanced degree.
• Proven experience operating to meet schedule targets in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with NASA technical standards for design, analysis, and test.
• Experience with structural dynamics analysis and test methods.
• Experience with thermal analysis methods and tools.

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best‑in‑class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration.
• Equity ownership in the company.
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Flexible PTO and parental leave.
• Home office set up reimbursement.
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on‑site.
• Once a month social hour on‑site with food and drinks.