Planetary Geoscientist II, Off-Planet Systems

ICON Technology Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist to study extraterrestrial soils, focusing on lunar and Martian regolith simulants and their validation for research and robotic construction. You will work with engineers, researchers, and vendors to ensure simulant fidelity and applicability to ICON’s mission goals.

The role involves interfacing with robotics and materials teams, performing DOEs, and collaborating with ICME to align experimental data with models for process development, under a Senior

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in planetary geology, materials science, civil engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on lab or field experience in geology, materials characterization, or simulant development.
• Experience validating geologic or synthetic materials through mineralogical, chemical, and physical testing.
• Ability to manage multiple technical efforts and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants for ICON's research and mission goals.
• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting regolith simulants into structural ceramics using sintering, melt processing, and related thermal methods.
• Validate regolith simulants against planetary analog data across physical, mineralogical, and chemical parameters.
• Collaborate with mechanical and robotic engineers on geotechnical implications for robotic excavation, conveyance, and processing systems.
• Co-design and qualify regolith and regolith simulant conveyance and handling systems.
• Interface with internal customers and external stakeholders to ensure simulant fidelity and research alignment.
• Conduct Design of Experiments (DOEs) and characterization studies on derived regolith products.
• Collaborate with ICME teams to validate models against experimental data and guide process development.
• Support testing and analysis of simulants under simulated lunar or Martian environmental conditions.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Laboratory techniques

Physical strength (lift 50 lb)

Education

Master's degree in Planetary Geology, Materials Science, civil engineering, or related field

Job description

ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist to help drive the future of off-planet construction. This role will focus on understanding and simulating extraterrestrial soils, specifically lunar and Martian regolith, and developing methods to validate, manage, and leverage these simulants for research, development, and robotic construction. You will interface with internal engineers, external researchers, and vendors to ensure regolith simulants are fit for purpose and support ICON's goal of enabling sustainable human presence beyond Earth. This role is based in Austin, TX and will report to our Senior Director of Off-Planet Systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants for ICON's research and mission goals.
• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting lunar and Martian regolith simulants into structural ceramics using sintering, melt processing, and related thermal methods.
• Validate regolith simulants against planetary analog data across physical, mineralogical, and chemical parameters.
• Collaborate with mechanical and robotic engineers on geotechnical implications for robotic excavation, conveyance, and processing systems.
• Co-design and qualify regolith and regolith simulant conveyance and handling systems.
• Interface with internal customers (e.g., robotics and materials teams) and external stakeholders (vendors, research partners, space agencies) to ensure simulant fidelity and research alignment.
• Conduct Design of Experiments (DOEs) and characterization studies on derived regolith products.
• Collaborate with Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) teams to validate models against experimental data and use simulation results to guide regolith-to-ceramic process development.
• Support testing and analysis of simulants under simulated lunar or Martian environmental conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Planetary Geology, Materials Science, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or field experience in geology, materials characterization, or simulant development.
• Experience validating geologic or synthetic materials through mineralogical, chemical, and physical testing techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple technical efforts, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience with lunar or Martian regolith simulants.
• Familiarity with planetary & space analog testing environments.
• Experience with ceramics engineering.
• Knowledge of mechanical systems or robotics related to excavation or conveyance.
• Background working in low volume, high mix R&D environments.

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.

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