Mechanical Test Fixture Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $157,000 - $177,000 / year

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.

We are seeking a Sr. Design Engineer (Test & R&D) to lead the mechanical design and development of test infrastructure supporting the development, qualification, and production of advanced aerospace hardware. This role will focus on designing mechatronics test beds, environmental test fixtures, CNC machining fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, test, and deployment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on design engineer who can move comfortably between CAD, mechanical design, manufacturing, instrumentation, controls, and the test floor. This position requires strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and the ability to design practical, robust hardware that can be fabricated, assembled, instrumented, operated, and maintained in a fast-paced R&D environment.

The Sr. Design Engineer will work closely with Test Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and technicians to develop test solutions that enable rapid and repeatable hardware development.

• Design and develop mechanical test beds and integrated test systems for component, subsystem, and system-level testing.
• Develop structures, frames, mechanisms, motion systems, fixtures, mounts, enclosures, and equipment interfaces.
• Integrate mechanical hardware with sensors, actuators, motors, instrumentation, electrical systems, and controls.
• Design fixtures and GSE supporting environmental testing, including vibration, thermal, vacuum, thermal-vacuum, shock, and other qualification/development testing.
• Design hardware capable of maintaining required structural, thermal, and dimensional performance throughout environmental test conditions.
• Develop interfaces between flight/development hardware and external test equipment.
• Perform appropriate structural, tolerance, thermal, and load-path analysis or coordinate analysis with the appropriate engineering teams.
• Design CNC workholding and fixturing for complex aerospace components and assemblies.
• Develop fixtures, soft jaws, nests, locating schemes, modular workholding, and inspection fixtures.
• Design fixtures around GD&T, datums, machining processes, tool access, workholding requirements, and part deformation considerations.
• Design and develop GSE for transportation, handling, assembly, integration, testing, servicing, and maintenance of aerospace hardware.
• Develop lifting fixtures, handling carts, transportation fixtures, assembly stands, work stands, protective covers, access platforms, and specialized support equipment.
• Design GSE around hardware interfaces, center of gravity, load paths, handling requirements, operational constraints, and personnel safety.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Develop concepts from incomplete or evolving requirements and rapidly iterate toward workable solutions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of mechanical design engineering experience
• Experience designing hardware intended for CNC machining, welding, fabrication, and/or additive manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware development environment.”
• Experience designing mechatronics test systems or automated test equipment.
• Experience with environmental testing, particularly vibration, thermal, thermal-vacuum, or shock testing.
• Experience designing GSE for aerospace hardware.
• Experience with CNC machining and CNC workholding/fixture design.
• Familiarity with load cells, accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure sensors, LVDTs, displacement sensors, and other test instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience using 3D CAD to create mechanical designs and detailed manufacturing drawings
• Experience integrating motors, actuators, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, sensors, and electrical components into mechanical test equipment.
• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, or thermal analysis.
• Experience designing for vacuum or cryogenic environments.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with ASME Y14.5 and aerospace drawing standards.
• Experience supporting hardware through environmental qualification or acceptance testing.
• Experience working directly with machine shops and fabrication vendors.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development.
• Demonstrated experience designing mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, GSE, or production equipment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, GD&T, tolerancing, materials, fasteners, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to independently take a concept from requirements through design, fabrication, assembly, and testing.

Work Environment

• Combination of office and manufacturing floor environments
• Frequent interaction with CNC machines, fabrication equipment, and production hardware
• Hands-on support of active production and integration operations may be required
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work around industrial equipment safely

• 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
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks