Planetary Geoscientist: Regolith Simulants & Ceramics

ICON; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist in Austin, TX to drive off-planet construction research. You will define regolith simulant properties, validate materials, and collaborate with engineers to enable robotic excavation and ceramics production for lunar and Martian environments.

You will interface with researchers, vendors, and space partners to ensure simulant fidelity and guide model‑driven development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in planetary geology, materials science, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on lab or field experience in geology, materials characterization, or simulant development.
• Experience validating geologic or synthetic materials via mineralogical, chemical, and physical testing.
• Ability to manage multiple technical efforts and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• 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 use simulation results to guide process development.
• Support testing and analysis of simulants under simulated lunar or Martian environmental conditions.

Education

Master's degree in Planetary Geology / Materials Science / Civil Engineering

Job description

ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist in Austin, TX to drive off-planet construction research. You will define regolith simulant properties, validate materials, and collaborate with engineers to enable robotic excavation and ceramics production for lunar and Martian environments.

You will interface with researchers, vendors, and space partners to ensure simulant fidelity and guide model‑driven development.