Test Stand Engineer

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Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure to spacecraft navigation, machine vision, and computing systems for in-space robotic applications. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial technology contracts worth more than $600 million.

We recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon, Astrobotic developed and operates reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and continues to advance next-generation VTVL capabilities and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007, Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.

This position will be part of the Propulsion & Test team operating one or more of Astrobotic's engine test stands (5K-25K lbf). Applicants should have a good foundation in propulsion, with a good technical understanding of fluid systems. Experience with cryogenic propulsion systems is a strong plus. Experience with fluid system builds and maintenance is a strong plus. This position will be on-site in Mojave, CA .

Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain test worthiness of 5-25K pound-force (lbf) engine test stand (cryogenic bi-propellant), contribute to effective management of other propulsion test stands, and ensure safe test operations.
• Support test stand build, article integration, readiness reviews, and test operations.
• Manage maintenance and overhaul planning and execution, including coordinating staffing, budget, and schedule needs with other teams.
• Develop test products including test plans, test procedures, and test reports.
• Contribute to test campaign planning for engine testing, including leading Test Readiness Reviews and supporting Data Reviews.
• Generate and support discrepancy documentation and ensure test processes and test discipline are being followed during integration and test execution.
• Manage people and processes effectively, particularly demonstrating an ability to understand and read team member well-being in a high-pressure test environment.
• Work with program management and engineering leadership to ensure team has technical understanding of test assets, operations and safety training, etc., including developing test-specific processes and standards.
• Run test operations as Test Conductor which includes being responsible for safety of personnel, hardware, and equipment.
• Work with systems engineers to develop vehicle and test stand requirements, maintain appropriate documentation, and support design verification via test.
• Support project management by providing task lists and task dependencies, estimating labor and material cost requirements, and providing status of test activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or engineering physics.
• 2+ years of experience in engine test.
• Experience using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to design parts/assemblies (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
• Experience developing hardware from concept to working prototypes.
• Experience safely testing with and handling hazardous materials (cryogens, high pressure gas).
• Hands-on project experience with fluid and mechanical systems.
• Awareness of regulatory safety requirements (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)).
• Hands-on fabrication skills.
• Development of subsystem requirements from system requirements.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience working with rocket and propulsion development, test, and flight operations.
• Experience as technical lead for launch vehicle, engine test stand, rocket subsystem, and/or experimental aircraft.
• Familiarity with explosive hazard calculations (Department of Defense Explosives Safety Regulation (DESR) 6055.09).
• Familiarity with pressurized component test and design requirements including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) S-080-1998 Metallic Pressure Vessels, Pressurized Structures, and Pressure Components , and Air Force Space Command Manual (AFSPCMAN) 91-710 Range Safety User Requirements Manual .
• Familiarity with system cleanliness standards including Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology Standard (IEST-STD-CC1246), Marshall Space Flight Center Specification (MSFC-SPEC-164), or equivalent.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) propulsion and fluid system design and analysis software (Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP), Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS), Rocket Engine Transient Simulator (ROCETS), etc.).
• Experience with design of the ground support equipment (GSE) and tooling for engine manufacturing, testing, and maintenance.

Note: This position may be filled at multiple levels

Salary

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for this position will depend on numerous factors including individual performance, business objectives, and the candidates professional experience. Base salary is just one component of Astrobotic's competitive total rewards strategy.

Benefits:

Benefits include Medical, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, voluntary life insurance, FSA Plans, 401k and open PTO.

Export Control Regulations:

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 or U.S. person which includes U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) including those individuals granted refugee or asylum status, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Astrobotic Technology, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation:

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 View email address on us.edajobs.com.