Senior Mechanical Engineer I, Off-Planet Systems

ICON; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company based in Austin, TX is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to support off-planet robotics development. The role involves designing electro-mechanical systems for lunar applications, overseeing prototype creation, and conducting critical FEA and CFD analysis. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in R&D product development environments and be proficient in CAD and mechanical design. This is an onsite position requiring strong teamwork and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in mechanical system design, including robotics.
• Strong background in R&D environments utilizing cutting-edge technologies.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotic platforms for lunar construction applications.
• Run analysis for safe and reliable engineering solutions.
• Collaborate with a team to design and integrate hardware.

Skills

Mechanical design

Electromechanical systems

R&D product development

3D CAD tools

DFM principles

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

ANSYS

Job description

ICON is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to assist in our Strategic R&D efforts. As the Mechanical Engineer for Off-Planet Robotics, you will be responsible for the development of conceptual and detailed designs of electro‑mechanical systems that will be used off‑planet. You will also conduct trade studies and ideation exercises, participate in our design review and systems engineering processes, and ultimately fly the hardware you have designed. This role is an onsite role and is based locally in ICON’s Austin, TX laboratories, and will report to the Senior Director of Off‑Planet Systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development of a robotic platform for lunar construction applications, focusing on motion platforms and dynamic fluid systems.
• Design and create prototypes using in‑house and external fabrication.
• Specify robotic servo‑driven actuators using industry standards for aerospace applications, including mobile (rover‑based) robotics, and large format, long‑reach robotic actuators.
• Run FEA and CFD analysis to provide safe and reliable engineered solutions for use in space.
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting, build support, and design, implement, and integrate solutions in a fast‑paced environment with a quick AGILE development cycle.
• Create design solutions utilizing engineering methods with strong documentation processes.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional, multidisciplinary team members to procure, fabricate, test, and ultimately fly the hardware you have designed.
• Perform a wide range of tasks on a daily basis and establish individual and team goals consistent with overall company OKRs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years of recent experience designing mechanical system elements including electromechanical systems and/or robotics.
• Strong experience in R&D product development environments, developing products that utilize and integrate with cutting‑edge technologies.
• Strong mechanical design and integration skills using 3D CAD tools, preferably Solidworks.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Ability to work with and/or take direction well from a variety of peer team members in other fields of discipline.
• Strong understanding of DFM principles.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Strong understanding of optical principles, opto‑mechanical design, and space environmental considerations.
• Experience in mechanical design within aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicles.
• Strong thermal analysis skills.
• Past design experience in extreme thermal environments.
• Familiarity with serial robotic arm operations and design constraints.
• Experience in systems engineering principles: requirements development, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification and release.
• Experience in Solidworks and PDM.
• Experience in structural FEA and CFD using ANSYS or similar tools.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, noise, and outdoor conditions.
• Physical effort may be required for the handling of supplies or materials (up to 50 lbs unassisted).

EEO STATEMENT

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 record‑keeping 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).

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third‑party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.

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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