Vehicle Integration Engineer

At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and with a smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.

Description:

AstroForge is seeking a Space Vehicle Integration Engineer with a strong understanding of space vehicle design. This position focuses on integrating all spacecraft subsystems, ensuring that they function seamlessly together. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of system technical budgets, such as mass, power, link, and thermal, and how these budgets impact overall vehicle performance.

The role requires experience in working on real-life space hardware, with hands-on involvement in building and testing spacecraft. The candidate will work cross-functionally with various teams to ensure that all aspects of spacecraft development, from design to testing, meet mission requirements. Additionally, the candidate will support the development and submission of documentation to regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with spaceflight regulations.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop, interpret, and maintain system technical budgets, including mass, power, link, and thermal, for spacecraft.
2. Work collaboratively with other engineering teams to ensure subsystem integration.
3. Ensure a high-level understanding of how key spacecraft subsystems (such as propulsion, avionics, communications, power, thermal, and structures) function and interface with each other.
4. Support hands-on spacecraft integration, testing, and troubleshooting.
5. Work on real space hardware, contributing to building and testing space vehicles.
6. Provide input to ensure system-level consistency and compatibility across the spacecraft.
7. Assist in developing and submitting documentation to regulatory bodies to ensure spaceflight compliance.
8. Work in a fast-paced environment with the flexibility to adapt to changing project needs and priorities.

Basic Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
2. Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their interdependencies.
3. Experience in creating and managing system technical budgets (mass, power, etc.).
4. Hands-on experience with space hardware, including integration and testing.
5. Familiarity with regulatory requirements for spaceflight and experience with related documentation and compliance.
6. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
7. Ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced startup environment.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

1. Experience in space vehicle integration or spacecraft subsystem design.
2. Familiarity with industry standards and practices in spacecraft testing, verification, and regulatory compliance.
3. Some experience working in aerospace or related industries.

Additional Requirements:

1. Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to meet critical project deadlines.
2. Occasional travel may be required to support hardware testing and integration activities.

Compensation: 100k - 140k

ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.