Sr. Program Systems Engineer

Department: Program Management

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $150,000 - $180,000 / year

Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

The LTVS Sr. Program System Engineer will be responsible for the integration of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle System (LTVS) project systems and interfaces across all mission phases to ensure the product and systems meet customer (NASA Moon Base and LTV Project) needs and mission objectives. You will report to the LTV Deputy Program Manager (Technical) as a member of the System Engineering and Integration (SEI) team and will collaborate with Responsible Engineers across the program.

What you'll do:

• Integration of Program elements (vehicle, delivery system, NASA, ground systems) for program requirements and objectives, including negotiation with customer (NASA) on requirements and deliverables
• Execute program-level trade studies for technical and programmatic considerations affecting vehicle hardware and software design, mission planning, and ground systems
• Collaboration with integrators from Mission Operations, software, and Engineering to ensure consistency across specific mission phases: Lunar transit, Lander deployment and egress, Initial checkouts and first lunar day, Hibernation, and Crewed campaign. This includes collaboration with NASA counterparts for joint definitions
• Ownership or review of scenario-based analysis for technical resources (power/energy, data volume) and surface productivity
• Develop, coordinate, and execute Verification and Validation (V&V) activities for integrated system tests, interface tests with external elements (lander, suits)
• Identify, quantify, and mitigate phase-level program risks

What you'll bring: Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) field
• 5+ years of experience with spacecraft telecommunications, Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC), power, and flight software systems
• Experience with cross-functional engineering projects involving multiple technical disciplines and subject matter experts
• Experience with developing and executing verification and validation (V&V) plans, conducting system-level trade studies, developing requirements, and managing risks, including proficiency with at least one requirements management system

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotic systems, particularly rovers, or human-rated spacecraft
• Experience with spacecraft systems in both development and operations
• Spacecraft operations experience, particularly developing early operations and checkout activities
• Hardware-in-the-loop testing experience at the subsystem or system level
• Prior ownership and delivery of major systems engineering products, including design reviews, V&V plans, requirements closure, or system-level analyses
• In-depth technical expertise in at least one spacecraft subsystem, preferably two
• Experience with statistical analysis, such as Monte Carlo simulations
• Experience with Python and MATLAB

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
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks