Senior Mechanisms Engineer - Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Senior Mechanisms Engineer - Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Salary: $95,000 - $203,000 based on experience & background (Across multiple levels)

Glen Burnie, MD

About Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

Excellent benefits package, including 26 days of paid vacation and up to 7 paid holidays. Eligible for health care (single and family) on your first day of employment. 401(k) plan with employer match available.

Full-time position - apply now!

About The Position

We are looking for skilled Mechanisms Engineers to join our team. This position will be located on-site at the IM Mechanisms Annex in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The Mechanisms Engineer will work in a cross-functional team on the design, development, manufacture and test of space flight and ground support mechanisms, such as motor-driven actuators, payload deployers, antenna deployment and articulation devices, gimbal systems, launch hold-down systems, optical adjustment mechanisms, robotic manipulators and tools, and fluid couplings for cryogenic and rocket propellant systems.

The engineer will assist in the concept development, design, build and test of a variety of articulation and deployment mechanisms associated with Intuitive Machines' vehicles and landers.

*Employment in this role is contingent upon NASA selecting Intuitive Machines as the winner of the LTVS program, scheduled for announcement later in 2025.

Responsibilities

• Serve as end-to-end Product Design Lead (PDL) for one or more mechanisms on the LTV
• Serve as technical lead for bearing design/analysis, geartrain development, and actuator integration across the LTV
• Oversee seal design, sourcing, and verification, ensuring long-life operation in lunar environments
• Develop performance specifications for Stepper and BLDC actuators, lead procurement, and oversee testing/characterization
• Lead subsystem reviews, requirements definition, and verification planning.
• Interface with cross-disciplinary teams (structures, thermal, avionics, software) to integrate mechanisms into the vehicle
• Drive supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management for machine shops and secondary vendors
• Perform mechanism analyses including bearing and gear calculations, force and torque margins, lubricant life analysis, rigid and flexible body dynamic simulations
• Generate CAD and drawings of mechanical hardware; perform optimization studies, interference checks, tolerance analysis
• Devise test programs to demonstrate key mission activities; design test apparatus and data collection systems
• Identify key technical risks/gaps and rapidly prototype and evaluate hardware to drive risks to closure
• Own the design and implementation of integrated subsystem performance tests
• Perform environmental testing to include test plans, test execution, and test results evaluation
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, ensuring knowledge transfer and best practices
• Represent mechanisms engineering at customer and program reviews

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field; M.S./Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience
• Deep expertise in bearing design, geartrain analysis, seal systems, lubrication, stepper and brushless DC actuators and controllers
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end flight hardware procurements, vendors, budgets, and schedules
• Advanced proficiency with Creo and Windchill
• Proficiency with ASME Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Familiarity with performance requirements development for mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Experience with the generation of work orders, assembly procedures and test plans for mechanisms functional, vibration, thermal vacuum and life testing
• Familiarity with standard practices for assembly and environmental testing of space flight mechanisms as well as the tooling and ground support equipment associated with these tests
• Familiarity with spaceflight mechanisms topics including motors, bearings and lubricants, geared systems, release mechanisms and robotic systems, and the integration of electrical components such as wire harnesses into these systems
• Familiarity with commonly used space and commercial specifications for materials, processes, fasteners, mechanical components, connectors, wiring, etc.
• Familiarity with common space industry additive and conventional metallic and composite manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with motion simulation software and finite element analysis tools

Preferred

• Direct experience in rover, spacecraft, or extreme-environment vehicle development
• Experience with robotic manipulators and robotic control systems
• History of leading full lifecycle mechanism development (design → build → test → flight)
• Familiarity with lunar or planetary mission requirements (dust, vacuum, thermal extremes)
• Published work or recognized contributions in gear, bearing, or seal design
• Experience in proposal writing, customer-facing design reviews, and technical leadership

EEOC

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.