Lunar Surface Test Engineer

Interlune is a space resources company based in Seattle, WA. We will provide resources from space to power a clean and sustainable economy on Earth and in space.

We are looking for a Doer who wants to join our early-stage team and accelerate humanity's progress toward an off-world future. Our engineering team combines expert knowledge of geological sciences, mechanical engineering, automation, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced fabrication to build the infrastructure that will create an in-space economy. To join our small team, you must be agile, willing to learn, and able to take on multiple roles as needed.

We are seeking a test engineer to develop and execute test approaches for lunar surface systems across early R&D, prototype development, environmental verification, and flight hardware qualification. The ideal candidate will combine strong hands-on test execution skills with the ability to design test methods, fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition approaches for both standard aerospace environments and nonstandard lunar-regolith and dust testing. 

Applicants from all industries are welcome, with particular emphasis in complex, multi-disciplinary system development. Familiarity with and prior experience in the space, agriculture, construction, or mining industry are valuable but not required.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead test planning and development of test methods for lunar-regolith, dust, and other nonstandard environments where established protocols are limited or unavailable.
• Contribute to verification test plans and write detailed test procedures for development, prototype, environmental, and qualification testing.
• Design and implement test setups, including fixtures, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, calibration approaches, and data uncertainty analyses.
• Lead hands-on integration, test safety and readiness, debugging, and execution of testing, including contamination and configuration control for test articles, procedures, and data.
• Analyze and report test results, support correlation with models and analysis, and use results to inform design improvements, simulant development, and future test approaches. 

Required Qualifications: 

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience planning, executing, or supporting development, prototype, environmental, or qualification testing for hardware systems. 
• Hands-on experience designing, building, or integrating test setups, fixtures, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or related test hardware.
• Experience developing test procedures, supporting test planning, and analyzing test data to assess performance against test objectives or requirements.
• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

Desired Qualifications: 

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, Space Resources, or a related technical subject area.
• Experience with structural, environmental, or mechanism testing for space or other extreme-environment hardware.
• Experience with planetary, soil, particulate, dust, or regolith simulant testing.
• Experience designing mechanical hardware, fixtures, test beds, or support equipment for development or qualification testing.
• Experience with instrumentation selection, calibration, data acquisition systems, and uncertainty analysis.
• Working knowledge of lunar regolith behavior, planetary surface environments, or related surface operations constraints.

Export Control Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants for employment at Interlune must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Interlune is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on creating our off-world future. Interlune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Don't meet every requirement? If you're excited about this role but you don't meet all of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply and explain why the experiences you do have are a suitable substitute. We'd hate to miss out on the perfect candidate for this or other roles. 

Compensation range for on site WA state employees is:

Target Levels:

Level 2 Range: $110,000 - $150,000

Level 3 Range: $125,000 - $195,000

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

Benefits:

Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, and other benefits

Paid Time Off:  Flexible PTO policy with paid company holidays.