Senior Research Scientist

Astrobotic Technology is a lunar logistics company that delivers payloads to the Moon for companies, governments, universities, nonprofits, and individuals. The company’s goal is to make the Moon accessible to the world. (See a recent documentary on us and our founder, here) In this pursuit, the company seeks a Senior Research Scientist to work on future missions and technologies for the company’s R&D department.

Applicants should have broad technical knowledge in the areas of space and robotics with in-depth knowledge of one or more related topics, including: autonomy, sensing, planning, mechatronics, control, machine learning, intelligent systems or stochastic methods. Applicants should have experience executing research contracts, and a track record of both writing and winning funding proposals.

The primary responsibility of this role is to develop future missions and space robotic technologies from concept through integration with existing missions or commercialization. This role will work closely with a technical program manager to fulfill contract requirements.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as Principal Investigator or lead technical researcher on research and development projects.
• Conduct day-to-day research
• Advance Astrobotic’s existing technical competencies and develop new core competencies
• Establish and maintain technical and domain expertise in space robotics
• Establish collaborative relationships with NASA and industry experts in relevant fields
• Serve as lead writer on funding proposals
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation and reporting
• Communicate with partners and customers
• Publish and present research at related technical conferences

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in some or all of the following areas: sensing, planning, mechatronics and control, machine learning, intelligent systems, stochastic methods, probabilistic methods, space robotics and technologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem solving skills

Education and Experience Requirements

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace engineering, Robotics, Computer Science or related fields.
• Experience in technical research and development in a university or corporate setting.

Must be a U.S. person. Applicants should be prepared to submit a writing sample, references, and demonstrate a significant background in research and development.

See our additional openings, here