Technical Director, Off Planet Programs

ICON; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Director of Off-Planet Programs to own and lead space robotics, construction, and materials initiatives across hardware, software, and R&D. The role partners with program management, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to scale ICON’s capabilities beyond Earth.

This full-time, on-site position is based at ICON's Austin, TX HQ Campus with responsibility for strategy, execution, and cross-functional leadership across diverse teams.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in a related field such as computer, mechanical, electrical engineering, CS, mathematics, physics, aerospace engineering, or material science.
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience with focus on off-planet systems or space robotics.
• Proven experience delivering products with spaceflight or off-planet deployment.
• Experience building and leading senior-level technical teams.
• Strong systems engineering expertise managing complex, multidisciplinary systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and executive communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Own ICON’s off-planet systems and space robotics outputs across engineering, R&D, material science, and operations.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams spanning robotics, autonomous systems, material science, and construction technologies.
• Collaborate with program management to execute complex, high-risk initiatives.
• Interface with executive leadership, customers, and government partners to align technical strategy with business objectives.
• Build and evolve a state-of-the-art research and operations facility supporting off-planet programs.
• Develop long-term R&D roadmaps including resourcing and budgeting.
• Provide strategic guidance to VP- and C-level leadership on off-planet objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Robotics

Autonomy

Education

B.S. in STEM fields

Tools

Spaceflight software

Real-time embedded systems

Job description

As the Director, Off-Planet Programs you will own and lead ICON’s off-planet robotics, construction, and materials initiatives across hardware, electrical, software, material science, R&D, and operations. This is a highly strategic and execution-driven leadership role, partnering closely with program management, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to scale ICON’s space robotics and extraterrestrial construction capabilities.

You will shape the long‑term technical vision, infrastructure, and execution strategy for ICON’s off-planet programs—driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustained market leadership in autonomous construction beyond Earth.

This is a full‑time position based on‑site on ICON's Austin, TX HQ Campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the extreme owner of ICON’s off-planet systems and space robotics outputs across engineering, R&D, material science, and operations.

Lead and scale multidisciplinary teams spanning robotics, autonomous systems, material science, and construction technologies.

Partner closely with program management to execute complex, high‑risk, multi‑disciplinary initiatives.

Interface with executive leadership, internal stakeholders, customers, and government partners to align technical strategy with business objectives.

Build, operate, and continuously evolve a state‑of‑the‑art research and operations facility supporting off-planet robotics and construction programs.

Establish and maintain strategic relationships with industry leaders, space agencies, vendors, and critical contractors.

Develop long‑term R&D roadmaps and strategic plans, including resourcing, budgeting, and technical investment priorities.

Provide broad technical and strategic guidance to VP- and C‑level leadership on off-planet business objectives, anticipating market, regulatory, and technological factors influencing medium‑ and long‑term success.

Lead groups, divisions, and product teams with full accountability for delivery, performance, and outcomes.

Oversee and integrate all off-planet initiatives, developing new methods and approaches to solve company‑wide technical and operational challenges in space robotics and autonomous construction.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.

15+ years of relevant industry experience, with demonstrated focus on off-planet systems, lunar environments, materials, and/or space robotic systems.

Proven experience developing multiple products that have achieved space flight or off-planet deployment.

Demonstrated success building and leading senior‑level technical and engineering teams.

Strong systems engineering expertise with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary systems.

Excellent interpersonal, executive‑level communication and stakeholder management skills.

Experience with autonomous and teleoperated robotic systems in remote or extreme environments.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

M.S. or advanced degree in Robotics, Systems Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field.

Experience with spaceflight‑rated software systems and software quality processes.

Experience with spaceflight‑rated hardware, verification & validation (V&V), and mission‑critical systems.

10+ years of experience developing and shipping real‑time embedded and electro‑mechanical systems to end customers (ideally in the space industry).

Experience with networked and distributed systems.

Strong understanding of autonomy, robotics, and system‑level architectural frameworks.

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).