Planetary Geoscientist II, Off-Planet Systems

Responsibilities

• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants for ICON's research and mission goals.
• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting lunar and Martian regolith simulants into structural ceramics using sintering, melt processing, and related thermal methods.
• Validate regolith simulants against planetary analog data across physical, mineralogical, and chemical parameters.
• Collaborate with mechanical and robotic engineers on geotechnical implications for robotic excavation, conveyance, and processing systems.
• Co-design and qualify regolith and regolith simulant conveyance and handling systems.
• Interface with internal customers (e.g., robotics and materials teams) and external stakeholders (vendors, research partners, space agencies) to ensure simulant fidelity and research alignment.
• Conduct Design of Experiments (DOEs) and characterization studies on derived regolith products.
• Collaborate with Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) teams to validate models against experimental data and use simulation results to guide regolith-to-ceramic process development.
• Support testing and analysis of simulants under simulated lunar or Martian environmental conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Planetary Geology, Materials Science, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or field experience in geology, materials characterization, or simulant development.
• Experience validating geologic or synthetic materials through mineralogical, chemical, and physical testing techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple technical efforts, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with lunar or Martian regolith simulants.
• Familiarity with planetary & space analog testing environments.
• Experience with ceramics engineering.
• Knowledge of mechanical systems or robotics related to excavation or conveyance.
• Background working in low volume, high mix R&D environments.

Additional information

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