Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer
Hawthorne, CA, USA
USD 169k-191k / year + Equity
Posted on May 29, 2026
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are 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. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
As a Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you and your team will be responsible for the development of mechanical loads, environments (static, vibration, shock, and acoustic), and associated design and test strategy. You will be responsible for defining loads methodology, building loads and design infrastructure, and for your team’s progress and execution against program needs.
As a Lead Loads and Dynamics Engineer, you and your team will be responsible for the development of mechanical loads, environments (static, vibration, shock, and acoustic), and associated design and test strategy. You will be responsible for defining loads methodology, building loads and design infrastructure, and for your team’s progress and execution against program needs.
- Department
- Vehicle Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $169,000 - $191,000 / year
What you'll do:
- Continue to develop Astrolab’s loads and dynamics methodology
- Produce outputs used for critical engineering decisions
- Define company strategy for dynamic testing, from the lowest level to the highest
- Work with design and operations teams to influence hardware design and test plans
- Build tools and infrastructure to make your team and the company more efficient
- Manage your team’s progress throughout various program phases
- Develop and train dynamics engineers
What you'll bring:
- 5+ years of experience in spacecraft dynamics modeling and testing
- Master’s degree in engineering or equivalent additional years of experience
- Proven experience leading teams in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency with Femap and NASTRAN software for dynamics simulation
- Proficiency with MATLAB for data analysis
- Ability to mentor and develop more junior engineers, contractors, and interns to build an effective design team
Beneficial skills and experience:
- Master’s degree in engineering
- Demonstrated leadership success through one or more programs start-to-finish
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment with engineers, technicians, and leadership
- Experience developing specialized analysis tools, e.g. use of Femap API and integrations with MATLAB
- Experience with dynamic testing of large space vehicles
- Experience with transient dynamic simulation and/or multi-body dynamic modeling
Benefits and Perks
- 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
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Stage 3:
Video Interviews
Stage 4:
On-site Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.