Payload Design Lead (Space Program)

At Interstellar Lab our mission is to build a future full of life, on Earth and beyond. We believe in a future where technology is enabling humans to live in harmony with nature, a future where biodiversity thrives and expands, a future where terrestrial life become multi-planetary.To build this future, we design, manufacture and operate controlled-environment biofarms that unleash the power of plants. On Earth and in Space. Our solutions combine Hardware, AI and Bioscience. We use controlled-environment technology to mimic a multitude of conditions to allow plants, fungi and microorganisms to grow faster and better. On Earth, we are pioneering molecular and bio-farming, boosting production of nutrients, metabolites and bioactive compounds in plants while providing a sustainable and safe source of plant materials. Our customers are large beauty, perfume, natural ingredients, food&beverage and neutraceuticals companies. To advance space exploration, we work with space agencies and private companies and provide them bio-farming units to grow efficiently food for astronaut and/or conduct research on impact of microgravity on plant molecular composition.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES LOCATION FLEXIBILITY AND TRAVELLING BETWEEN LOS ANGELES - PARIS - CAP CANAVERAL SITES.

YOUR ROLE

As a Payload Design Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to lead various vehicle space exploration payload design and work with a cross functional team of engineers from conception, analysis, and manufacturing, through to operational test and deployment. You will involve in development our plant growth payload for ISS and orbital stations and on lunar payload for Mission Little Prince.

The Payload Design Lead will be leading of product development and responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance for all mechanical systems supporting the production and operations of Interstellar Lab space payloads. 

Your creativity and relentless commitment to quality will be expected to analyze, create and maintain payloads systems designs, define and improve processes, and develop product validation techniques in order to ultimately build a state-of-the-art and fully mechanical system capable of safely and reliably meeting required performances and allowing for user operations. You will also put your engineering knowledge to the test by performing real-time troubleshooting on the products as it goes from the integration phase through operations. Our fundamental goal is to allow life to grow anywhere; with it comes extreme responsibility to ensure the safety of plants materials and users in charge of growing them.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the development of various vehicle space exploration payloads (ISS, Orbital Stations and Lunar program).
• Provide Technical Leadership.
• Establish design development and space flight certification/validation approach and concept for a given program considering requirements, schedule, cost etc.
• Work with and integrate various engineering development leads to guide development process.
• Conduct design reviews to monitor technical correctness, design project health, and progress.
• Manage the technical aspects of electrical design, mechanical design, software/firmware development, thermal analysis, materials analysis, structural analysis, and other monitorial aspects related to space payload system design.
• Perform engineering design evaluations.
• Produce other required design documentation.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering and possess 10 years of related experience.
• Must have knowledge and experience in developing/designing, testing and certifying payloads for space exploration.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers designing and building world-class, NASA space-flight hardware.
• Must have technical leadership and design team integration experience managing technical schedules, earned value and other monitorial aspects related to mechanical design and drafting on projects.
• Must have familiarity with 3DS modeling CAD software.
• Must have working experience leading and integrating mid-size (10 or more engineers) of various engineering disciplines.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Interstellar Lab. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks.

Interstellar Lab is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  Interstellar Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.