Research Scientist / Engineer

Interlune is a space resources company based in Seattle, WA. We will provide resources from space to power a clean and sustainable economy on Earth and in space.

We are looking for a Doer who wants to join our early-stage team and accelerate humanity’s progress toward an off-world future. Our engineering team combines expert knowledge of geological sciences, mechanical engineering, automation, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced fabrication to build the infrastructure that will create an in-space economy. To join our small team, you must be agile, willing to learn, and able to take on multiple roles as needed.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist / Engineer to lead the development, fabrication, and operation of novel plasma devices designed to implant regolith simulants with volatiles. This role requires significant hands-on experience with high-voltage and vacuum/gas systems in an R&D environment. This position is full-time in our Houston, Texas facility.

Applicants from all industries are welcome, with particular emphasis in complex, multi-disciplinary system development. Familiarity with and prior experience in the space, agriculture, construction, or mining industry are valuable but not required.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle (design, fabrication, commissioning, and operation) of plasma-based devices for producing novel lunar regolith simulants.
• Design experiments to test and optimize device performance.
• Analyze experimental data, prepare detailed technical reports, and present findings to Interlune’s science and engineering teams to directly influence process development decisions.
• Provide expert troubleshooting and resolution of hardware and software issues across all system components, including plasma generation, vacuum integrity, and system instrumentation.
• Collaborate closely within a multidisciplinary team to advance our capabilities in lunar resource extraction technologies.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely-related scientific or engineering field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a laboratory or R&D environment working with high voltage systems, including high voltage power supplies, grounding, insulation, isolation, harnessing, and physical layer control of test equipment.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a laboratory or R&D environment designing, building and working with vacuum or pressurized gas systems and plasma sources, including component selection (regulators, relief valves, tubing), P&ID development, leak detection, gas handling systems, and diagnostic equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, build, and operate complex experimental systems.
• Experience with data acquisition and control systems (e.g., LabVIEW, Python).
• Experience with safety and hazards best practices relevant to high voltage, vacuum, and pressurized gas systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. An advanced degree can substitute for years of experience.
• Experience in the design, fabrication, and operation of electric propulsion devices or advanced plasma physics systems.
• Expertise in a variety of plasma diagnostics, such as Langmuir probes, Faraday probes, and retarding potential analyzers.
• Experience working specifically with hydrogen gas.

Export Control Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants for employment at Interlune must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Interlune is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on creating our off-world future. Interlune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Don’t meet every requirement? If you’re excited about this role but you don’t meet all of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply and explain why the experiences you do have are a suitable substitute. We’d hate to miss out on the perfect candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation Target Levels:

Level 2 Range: $96,700 - $145,100

Level 3 Range: $120,900 - $181,300

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

Benefits:

Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance,  short and long-term disability, 401k and other benefits

Paid Time Off: Flexible PTO policy with paid company holidays.

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