R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

The University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory invites you to apply to the role of R&D Mechanical Engineer V. The successful candidate will serve as the senior mechanical engineering technical authority for NASA-sponsored spaceflight payload projects, potentially including camera systems, seismometers and spectrometers. They will direct highly complex mechanical design, interface development, integration, environmental verification, and delivery where engineering precedent may be limited. They will establish technical direction, resolve novel engineering challenges, and influence multidisciplinary partners while coordinating project objectives, risk, quality, and documentation. The position supports the University of Arizona's research mission through advanced spaceflight engineering.

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) is a world leader in space science, technology, and exploration, dedicated to advancing the fundamental understanding of the origin and evolution of the Sun, planetary bodies in our solar system, and planetary systems beyond. LPL achieves excellence through cutting-edge research and teaching while mentoring the next generation of planetary scientists. As a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary community, LPL fosters an environment that advances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research, education, and public engagement, where everyone can thrive.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

• Lead the mechanical design and development of spaceflight payload hardware, including structures, mounting approaches, mechanical layouts, and design documentation from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, verification, and test readiness.
• Establish engineering approaches, assess complex trade-offs, resolve technical challenges, and ensure designs address payload requirements, spacecraft/lander interfaces, and launch and spaceflight environmental constraints.
• Establish innovative engineering approaches for highly complex, unprecedented technical challenges; evaluate trade-offs and define design practices appropriate to novel scientific instrumentation.
• Develop mechanical integration and test plans for spaceflight hardware, including environmental verification consistent with NASA General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) or applicable project-specific standards.
• Lead assembly, alignment, fit checks, interface verification, environmental tests, and functional test configurations.
• Direct mechanical ground support equipment development, integration procedures, anomaly resolution, test readiness, post-test assessments, and configuration control.
• Lead design, analysis, documentation, and verification of complex interfaces between University of Arizona-developed payloads and externally developed spacecraft or instrument support systems.
• Provide technical inputs to Mechanical Interface Control Documents (MICDs) for delivered flight seismometer units.
• Define interface requirements, integration approaches, and procedures addressing structural, thermal, alignment, manufacturing, and environmental performance; oversee interface maturity and risk mitigation.
• Serve as senior mechanical engineering authority for University of Arizona-led spaceflight payload projects.
• Guide technical decisions, trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and issue resolution. Coordinate activities across systems engineering, project management, external partners, test facilities, and vendors to meet project objectives.
• Providing strategic technical direction, influence cross-functional partners, establish engineering methods and quality practices, and mentor other technical contributors as appropriate to the assigned projects.
• Briefings to executive leadership regarding research findings for projects throughout different stages of development.
• Lead preparation and technical review of engineering drawings, interface control documentation, verification records, test plans and procedures, trade studies, configuration management products, and review packages.
• Provide engineering leadership at design reviews, milestone assessments, and configuration-control activities, supporting compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and NASA documentation expectations.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing mechanical hardware for spaceflight or comparable aerospace applications.