Job Description

Sr. Engineering Technician

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Rob Garcia

Compensation: $40.00 - $50.00 / hour

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.

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.

Astrolab is seeking a highly skilled Senior Engineering Technician to support the assembly, integration, functional testing, and development of advanced aerospace and spaceflight hardware. This role requires extensive hands-on experience with mechanical sub-assemblies, electrical harnesses, avionics, structural components, and integrated hardware systems.

The Senior Engineering Technician will work closely with Engineering, Production, Avionics, and Test teams to build and integrate complex rover hardware, execute functional tests, troubleshoot technical issues, and support development and qualification activities. This individual will be expected to work independently from engineering drawings, procedures, and technical requirements while maintaining a high standard of workmanship, configuration control, and hardware traceability.

The ideal candidate brings broad technical expertise across mechanical and electrical systems, understands the importance of disciplined aerospace assembly practices, and can serve as a technical resource for other technicians while helping bridge the gap between engineering development and production execution.

What you'll do

• Perform complex mechanical assembly and integration of aerospace hardware, including structural assemblies, brackets, mechanisms, enclosures, and rover sub-systems
• Interpret engineering drawings, assembly models, bills of materials, work instructions, and engineering specifications to execute hardware builds accurately
• Install mechanical fasteners, bearings, bushings, inserts, seals, and other precision components using appropriate assembly techniques and calibrated tooling
• Perform precision fitting, alignment, dimensional verification, and mechanical adjustments as required
• Apply proper torque procedures, fastener locking methods, witness marking, and hardware handling practices in accordance with engineering requirements
• Identify assembly discrepancies, tolerance issues, damaged components, and design-for-assembly concerns; coordinate resolution with Engineering

Structural, Avionics & Harness Integration

• Integrate structural hardware, avionics components, electrical harnesses, sensors, actuators, and associated interfaces into complex aerospace systems
• Route, dress, secure, and inspect harnesses to meet engineering requirements for clearance, bend radius, strain relief, abrasion protection, and serviceability
• Verify mechanical interfaces, connector engagement, harness pinouts, and component installation against approved documentation
• Coordinate with Avionics and Electrical Engineering to resolve integration conflicts, interface issues, and installation challenges
• Support rover-level integration activities, including the installation and interconnection of structural, mechanical, and electrical sub-systems
• Maintain hardware cleanliness, ESD controls, and appropriate handling practices when working with sensitive spaceflight components

Functional Testing & Troubleshooting

• Execute functional tests on mechanical assemblies, avionics hardware, electrical sub-systems, and integrated rover systems
• Perform pre-test inspections, test setup, equipment configuration, and hardware readiness checks
• Follow approved test procedures, engineering instructions, acceptance criteria, and safety requirements
• Operate test equipment and instrumentation such as digital multimeters, insulation tester, bench power supplies, torque tools, data acquisition equipment, and other system-specific test equipment.
• Support electrical continuity checks, sensor and actuator verification, power-on activities, communication checks, and system functional verification
• Document test results, discrepancies, anomalies, and corrective actions with sufficient detail to support engineering review and resolution
• Assist Test Engineering with development testing, regression testing, integration testing, and environmental test preparation

Technical Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor for Engineering Technicians and other personnel performing assembly and integration work
• Demonstrate and reinforce proper mechanical assembly, harness handling, hardware integration, and test execution practices
• Help establish and maintain consistent workmanship standards and repeatable processes across engineering development and production activities
• Communicate build status, technical risks, material issues, and test findings clearly to engineering and production leadership
• Take ownership of assigned hardware and integration tasks from initial assembly through functional verification and closeout

What you'll bring

• High school diploma or equivalent, with technical training, vocational education, military technical training, or equivalent hands-on experience in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems
• 5 or more years of hands-on experience assembling, integrating, and testing complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical sub-assembly, functional testing, and integration of structural, avionics, and harness hardware
• Experience with precision mechanical assembly, fastener installation, torque requirements, and calibrated tools
• Demonstrated experience of adhering to hardware cleanliness, ESD protection, configuration control, and quality workmanship

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building, integrating, or testing spacecraft, launch vehicle, aerospace, robotics, or other high-reliability electromechanical systems
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, assembly procedures, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation
• Experience integrating structural assemblies, avionics enclosures, power distribution systems, control electronics, sensors, and actuators
• Familiarity with harness installation, connector mating, pinout verification, continuity testing, and cable routing requirements
• Experience supporting system-level functional tests and integrated hardware verification
• Familiarity with environmental testing, including vibration, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, or other qualification test campaigns
• Experience with precision measurement tools, dimensional inspection, and alignment verification
• Ability to execute functional test procedures, recognize unexpected behavior, and systematically troubleshoot hardware issues
• Familiarity with engineering change orders, nonconformance reports, material traceability, and hardware configuration management
• Experience supporting prototype development, engineering builds, hardware rework, and production process improvements
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines
• Ability to provide technical mentorship and informal leadership within a technician team

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