5+ years of experience in integration, test, or manufacturing engineering on complex flight hardware
Hands-on experience with vehicle-level integration through functional testing
Experience with crewed or human-rated vehicles is preferred
Strong understanding of vehicle electrical architecture and high-voltage systems
Responsibilities
Own vehicle-level integration flow for rover builds
Define system integration and test (SI&T) approach with cross-functional teams
Lead complex integration operations and vehicle tests
Investigate anomalous vehicle behavior across multiple domains
Conduct integration and manufacturing readiness reviews
Develop integration standards and safe practices
Outline detailed integration plans and mentor junior engineers
Benefits
Join a team of top engineers in planetary exploration
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits including mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Weekly lunch stipend and complimentary snacks
Monthly social hour with food and drinks
Full Job Description
Sr. Integration Engineer
Department: Manufacturing Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Reporting To: Isaac Kassim
Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 / year
Description
Astrolab is looking for a Sr. Integration Engineer to be a technical leader for how our CLV-1 crewed lunar rover is integrated and proven ready for test, launch, and lunar mission operations. You will define the vehicle-level integration flow and system integration and test (SI&T) approach, lead the most complex integration operations and anomaly investigations, and help establish integration engineering as a discipline at Astrolab. This role bridges Manufacturing Engineering and our Test team, owning the vehicle from build through functional checkout and handoff to test.
What you'll do:
Own large portions of the vehicle-level integration flow for our rover builds, including build sequence, integration levels, and verification at each step through final closeout and ship
Define the SI&T approach with Systems Engineering and the Test team: what is verified during integration versus environmental and qualification testing, and how functional checkouts repeat between campaigns
Lead complex integration operations and integrated vehicle tests, including first vehicle power-on, end-to-end functional tests, mobility checkouts, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Lead investigations into anomalous vehicle behavior across mechanical, electrical, and software boundaries; represent integration at quality review boards
Lead integration and manufacturing readiness reviews for major program milestones
Develop and institutionalize integration standards, including procedure templates, safe-to-mate practices, hazardous operations (high-voltage batteries, critical lifts), and workmanship
Define requirements for integration GSE/EGSE, vehicle handling equipment, and integration facility layout
Outline detailed integration plans and drive cross functional execution
Mentor earlier career engineers and technicians, and serve as technical lead for cross-disciplinary integration efforts
What you'll bring:
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field
5+ years of integration, test, or manufacturing engineering experience on complex flight hardware such as spacecraft, launch vehicles, planetary or lunar surface systems, crewed vehicles, or aircraft
Hands-on experience leading vehicle- or system-level integration of flight hardware through functional test and handoff into environmental testing
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience integrating vehicle hardware on crewed or human-rated vehicles, or on NASA flight programs
Demonstrated ownership of anomaly investigations on integrated electromechanical systems, driven to root cause under schedule pressure
Strong understanding of vehicle electrical architecture (power distribution, harnessing, data buses, grounding and bonding)
High-voltage and lithium-ion battery integration and safety on crewed vehicles, or EV powertrain integration
Experience defining test philosophies; working understanding of GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS) and SMC-S-016
Deep understanding of industry and NASA workmanship and fastener standards (NASA-STD-8739 series, NASA-STD-5020, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620)
Proficiency with CAD modeling software (e.g., NX), and a working knowledge of GD&T
Experience creating and managing integration work instructions via MES/MRP software (e.g. Manufacturo)
Proficiency in developing, collating, and documenting best practices and organizational level process improvement in Jira / Confluence
Launch campaign experience
Experience planning critical lifts and hazardous operations; familiarity with NASA-STD-8719.9
Experience leading and mentoring engineers and technicians
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
