Manager, Avionics Engineering

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, exceptional people to join our world-class team. 

Manager, Avionics Engineering

Astrolab is looking for a team member who will help lead the design and development of our lunar rover. Key work areas include vehicle electrical systems architecture, power system design, requirements capture, component selection and sourcing, and wire harness design. You will build and empower a team of world-class engineers to discover the needs of the mission and design robust and reliable robotic vehicle systems. You will lead the avionics team, from development to testing to operation during our first mission.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of lunar rover avionics systems including electrical power systems, communications, perception systems, motor control, instrumentation, human interfaces, interconnects and harnessing, and computing architectures
  
• Build and develop a world class avionics engineering team that supports Astrolab’s near and long-term goals and values
  
• Drive cross functional trades, foster concurrent engineering, and ensure avionics deliverables are on time to business needs
  
• Evaluate environmental, acoustic, shock, mass, deployment, radiation, and reliability requirements to verify the system design will satisfy mission requirements
  
• Troubleshoot performance anomalies and diagnose test failures
  
• Develop mitigation plans and characterize affects to subsystems and vehicle performance
  
• Design and perform verification tests at the component and system level
  
• Support on-site and off-site vehicle testing
• Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA

*Basic Qualifications: *

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field
• 5+ years of engineering experience
• Experience working in aviation, aerospace, robotics, or automotive engineering
• Experience managing engineering teams

*Preferred Skills and Experience: *

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering
  
• 10+ years of experience in a relevant field
  
• Experience with engineering instrumentation, including selection, installation, checkouts, and troubleshooting
  
• Experience with common industry communication protocols (CAN, RS232, RS422, Ethernet, EtherCAT)
  
• Experience with radiation tolerant/hard systems and radiation environments for space missions
  
• Experience with thermal management of avionics components on space vehicles
• Experience with 3D CAD software (NX Preferred)
  
• LabVIEW and/or Python coding experience with direct applicability to test and data acquisition systems
• Previous leadership experience in engineering bringing complex systems through qualification and flight
  
• Outstanding communication and written documentation skills
  
• Experience with early life-cycle engineering activities
  
• Experience with complex integrated vehicle electrical systems (electric vehicles, spacecraft, launch vehicle, robotics, etc.)
  
• Must be comfortable with ambiguity and account for risk when not all data is available
  
• Must be versatile and able to perform and manage multiple tasks concurrently
  
• Able to prioritize and figure out critical paths to development and mission success
  
• Ability to create/revise technical documents
  
• Ability to succeed in a lean, dynamic, and growing startup environment 

*Benefits and Compensation: *

• Work with a team of best-in-class rockstar engineers building the future of exploration on the lunar surface
• Base salary range: 135,000–172,000 (commensurate with skills and experience)
• Equity in the form of stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and parental leave
• On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches **

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and value diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].