Avionics Systems Engineer (All Levels)

Company: astrolab
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Type: hybrid
Posted: Sep 12, 2026
Views: 0

✨ AI Summary

Astrolab, a lunar operations company building rovers and power systems, is hiring Avionics Systems Engineers for all levels from entry to staff. The role focuses on defining vehicle-level electrical architecture, power distribution, and data networks using protocols like CAN, RS-422, and Ethernet. Candidates need a STEM degree, experience with aerospace systems and electrical test equipment, and proficiency in Python, C, or C++ for HIL testbeds. Perks include equity ownership, comprehensive health benefits, and a 401(k) match.

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.

As an Avionics Systems Engineer at Astrolab, you will define the requirements, architecture, and implementation of avionics systems on our planetary rovers. You will own the electrical architecture at the vehicle level, spanning power distribution, data networks, harnessing, and the interfaces between avionics units, and you will represent the avionics team in vehicle-level trades with mechanical, software, and thermal teams. You will serve as Responsible Engineer for avionics system design and performance, carrying it from requirements definition through integration, verification, and operations on the lunar surface. This posting covers entry-level through staff-level positions, and leveling will be commensurate with experience.
  • Architecture & Requirements: Define avionics system architecture and electrical architecture at the vehicle level, including power distribution, grounding, data networks, and harnessing. Write, flow down, and verify requirements at the system and component level
  • System Trades: Lead design trades and sensitivity studies to select architectures that are robust, fault-tolerant, and meet mission requirements. Represent the avionics team in vehicle-level trades with mechanical, software, and thermal teams
  • Interfaces: Create and maintain technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, interface control documents, procedures, and test and anomaly reports. Own electrical interfaces between avionics units, payloads, and ground systems
  • Verification & Test: Develop design verification, qualification, and acceptance test plans, and coordinate with avionics hardware, manufacturing, and test engineers to execute them. Help develop and operate HIL testbeds to verify functionality before vehicle integration
  • Integration & Operations: Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT), write and execute vehicle-level electrical functional validation procedures, and support launch campaigns and lunar surface operations
  • Anomaly Resolution: Support integration testing, production issue dispositions, and troubleshooting of failures, using root cause techniques such as fault tree and fishbone analysis, and manage overall avionics system risk
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) related field
  • Experience with aerospace component or system development, testing, integration, or operations
  • Experience with electrical test equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators, electronic loads, and multimeters, and the ability to interpret electrical schematics
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle avionics systems design, development, production, test, and operations
  • Experience with requirements writing, flow-down, and verification using systems engineering tools and processes
  • Experience performing trade studies and sensitivity studies to select the best architecture option
  • Experience with spacecraft power system engineering, including power budgeting, distribution, and grounding architecture
  • Experience with digital communication protocols and vehicle networks including RS-422, RS-485, CAN, or Ethernet
  • Experience with HIL testbed system development, and programming in Python, C, or C++ for test and automation
  • Familiarity with FMECA, fault tolerance and isolation design, and failure modes of spaceflight electrical components
  • Familiarity with SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-810, or other environmental testing standards, including shock, thermal, burn-in, TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing
  • For senior and staff levels: experience leading development of avionics architectures for current and future vehicles, developing schedules and system-level test and operations plans, and mentoring engineers
  • 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
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About the Company

Name: astrolab
Location: Hawthorne, California
Website: https://www.astrolab.space

Astrolab is building the robotic platform for the multi-planet future. We are pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We’re 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. The multi-functional Flexible Logistics & Exploration (FLEX) rover is being developed to support human operations, robotic science, exploration, logistics, construction, resource utilization, and other activities critical to enabling a sustained human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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