Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $170,000 - $230,000 / year

Description 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, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.

As a Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you and your team will be responsible for the development of mechanical loads, environments (static, vibration, shock, and acoustic), and associated design and test strategy. You will be responsible for defining loads methodology, building loads and design infrastructure, and for your team’s progress and execution against program needs.

What you'll do:

• Continue to develop Astrolab’s loads and dynamics methodology
• Produce outputs used for critical engineering decisions
• Define company strategy for dynamic testing, from the lowest level to the highest
• Work with design and operations teams to influence hardware design and test plans
• Build tools and infrastructure to make your team and the company more efficient
• Manage your team’s progress throughout various program phases
• Develop and train dynamics engineers

What you'll bring: Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft dynamics modeling and testing
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related field or equivalent years of experience
• Experience with Femap and NASTRAN software for dynamics simulation
• Experience with MATLAB for data analysis
• Experience mentoring and developing more junior engineers, contractors, and interns to build an effective design team

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related field
• Experience leading a project from start-to-finish
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment with engineers, technicians, and leadership
• Experience developing specialized analysis tools, e.g. use of Femap API and integrations with MATLAB
• Experience with dynamic testing of large space vehicles
• Experience with transient dynamic simulation and/or multi-body dynamic modeling

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks