As a Human Factors Engineer, you will design user-focused systems for lunar rovers, collaborate with engineers and astronauts, and ensure safety and usability in the human-centered design.
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 Human Factors Engineer supporting the NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) within the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP), you will champion the human-centered design of Astrolab’s FLEX-LTV, which will be used by Artemis Crew to traverse and explore the lunar environment. You will work closely with cross-disciplinary teams including Systems Engineering & Integration (SEI), Subsystem Responsible Engineers (REs), Crew Accommodations, User Interface (UI) Designers, Simulation & Training, and Operators/Astronauts to ensure that human safety, performance, and usability are engrained in the LTV design. You will report to the Astrolab Human Systems Integration (HSI) Lead under the Program Management Office (PMO).
As a Human Factors Engineer supporting the NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) within the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP), you will champion the human-centered design of Astrolab’s FLEX-LTV, which will be used by Artemis Crew to traverse and explore the lunar environment. You will work closely with cross-disciplinary teams including Systems Engineering & Integration (SEI), Subsystem Responsible Engineers (REs), Crew Accommodations, User Interface (UI) Designers, Simulation & Training, and Operators/Astronauts to ensure that human safety, performance, and usability are engrained in the LTV design. You will report to the Astrolab Human Systems Integration (HSI) Lead under the Program Management Office (PMO).
*Employment in this role is contingent on Astrolab being selected as a winner of NASA’s LTVS program.*
What you'll do:
- Carry out the HSI Plan across the development lifecycle in support of a safe & efficient user experience (UX) for our astronauts
- Work with our partners at Axiom Space to align the LTV design to suited crew capabilities & limitations while prioritizing safety, operational effectiveness, and crew time efficiency
- Collaborate with engineers & designers to optimize for suited crew use of LTV displays, controls, and mechanical interfaces
- Coordinate cross-disciplinary input & testing of LTV Crew Task Lighting to ensure the necessary visual access of all visual targets according to crew procedures and mission objectives
- Utilize Figma and other rapid prototyping tools to produce interactive graphical user interface (GUI) wireframes and mockups in alignment with Artemis GUI standards and commonality
- Conduct human factors engineering analyses and evaluations (e.g., Task Analysis (TA), Human Error Analysis (HEA), Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Testing, Crew Operational Loads, Risk Assessments, etc.) and process findings for design and/or operational impacts
- Support simulation & training events with astronauts and representative participants using Astrolab test artifacts located at Odyssey Space Research and the Texas A&M Space Institute
- Manage, adjudicate, and track the flow of human factors design feedback/concerns from ticket creation through design unit implementation in compliance with human systems requirements
- Assist SEI efforts in executing the Verification, Validation, & Certification Plan as it pertains to the closure of human systems requirements and total-system human-rating
- Inform and attend cadenced discussions with NASA to share LTV development progress and review key decisions/changes
- Update and maintain technical documentation, including contractual HSI deliverables to NASA
What you'll bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Centered Design, Ergonomics, or another relevant field (e.g., Biomechanics, Psychology, Industrial Design)
- 2+ years of experience in human factors engineering, human systems integration, and/or UI/UX development including user testing, preferably in human spaceflight or a related industry
- Familiarity with NASA-STD-3001, MIL-STD-1472, and/or the FAA HF-STD-001
- Understanding of project management and systems engineering processes, tools, and methodologies
- Strong problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail
- Excellent verbal communication, written communication, and negotiation skills
- Ability to empathize with user needs and elicit valuable user/stakeholder feedback
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-disciplinary team
- Ability to organize and balance multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment
Nice to Haves
- Graduate degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Centered Design, Ergonomics, or another relevant field (e.g., Biomechanics, Psychology, Industrial Design)
- Experience in space architecture, bioastronautics, aerospace physiology, optical engineering, vehicle cabin/interior development, and/or extreme environment analogs
- Knowledge of space extravehicular activity (EVA) systems (e.g., pressurized suits, EVA tools)
- Understanding of design thinking and/or rapid spiral development methodologies
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
- Fully flexible and remote friendly work environment
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
About
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.
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