About this role
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. Lead Electro-Mechanical Systems Engineer with a deep specialization in Interconnected Avionics Systems and Wiring Harness Design . In this role, you will lead the architecture, design, integration, and qualification of the electrical power and data distribution networks for our next-generation lunar rovers. You will own the end-to-end harness lifecycle—from high-level avionics system architecture down to manufacturing specifications, pinouts, and physical routing—ensuring high reliability under extreme lunar environment conditions (radiation, thermal gradients, vacuum, and dust). System Architecture & Design Lead the electrical interconnect and harness architecture for lunar flight systems, including power distribution, command/data handling (C&DH), sensors, and RF payloads. Define and maintain block diagrams, system schematics, ICDs (Interface Control Documents), and pinout allocations across all spacecraft subsystems. Perform trade studies on wire gauge, conductor materials, shielding techniques, and connector types to optimize weight, mass, and signal integrity under strict mass budgets. Lunar Environment Qualification & Harness Specialization Design harnesses resistant to severe lunar conditions: vacuum outgassing, extreme thermal cycling, dynamic motion, and regolith/dust intrusion. Apply single-event effect (SEE) and total ionizing dose (TID) radiation mitigation strategies to harness layout, shielding, and ground topology. Select, qualify, and specify space-grade connectors (e.g., Micro-D, Nano-D, MIL-DTL-38999), backshells, braiding, and potting materials compliant with NASA and internal space flight standards. Technical Leadership & Program Execution Serve as the primary technical Authority/SME for harness design across internal engineering teams, manufacturing, and external suppliers. Oversee flat-sat/bench testing, harness assembly, harness routing mock-ups, and spacecraft integration (assembly, integration, and test). Support critical program milestones. Mentor early career and mid-level avionics and electrical engineers.