Designer

About Ad Astra

Ad Astra Rocket Company (Ad Astra) is an innovative US R&D company dedicated to the development of advanced plasma rocket technology for in-space transportation. The company headquarters and main laboratory are located in the city of Webster, TX, about 25 miles south of downtown Houston. Ad Astra also owns and operates a small subsidiary, located in northwestern Costa Rica and primarily focused on developing and implementing clean energy solutions based on green hydrogen for both stationary and mobile applications.

Job Overview
The Designer will support the VASIMR® Technology Maturation Program at its Webster, TX, location. Work will be performed in laboratory, manufacturing, and integration/assembly environments, using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to simulate, analyze, and validate design and performance. The Designer will have numerous responsibilities across different phases of the VASIMR® Program. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience working on multidisciplinary teams supporting systems design, development, simulation, test, and integration.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for generating the mechanical product definitions that meet customer requirements, are consistent with company safety processes, and comply with organizational and environmental requirements.
• Produce drawings and parametric models defining product assemblies and components from provided design definition documentation. Drawings and models are to be compliant with drawing best practices defined in ASME Y14.100, ASME Y14.5, the Ad Astra Design Control Procedure, and program directives.
• Prepare and maintain system schematics.
• Provide input data and review CEI specifications, procurement drawings, and detailed functional drawings.
• Ensure compliance with ASME Y14.5 standard and industry best practices.
• Support engineers review tolerance analysis to ensure form, fit, and function as required.
• Participate in program milestone reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B. S.) or equivalent from a Four-Year College or technical school preferred; minimum five years of experience and or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Google Calendar, as well as the general suite of scientific and engineering computer tools (i.e., ANSYS, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, PTC Creo, MATLAB, etc.).
• Ability to be flexible in the day-to-day R&D design environment of working in a fast-paced, often changing tasks and priorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Engineering processes and procedures within a SOLIDWORKS, EPDM environment.
• Experience designing, developing, producing, and certifying space flight hardware.
• Experience working hands-on in R&D laboratory, manufacturing, and/or production environments.
• Familiarity with low-temperature and high-temperature superconducting materials and systems.
• Experience functioning in Agile and DevOps environments.
• Experience with systems utilized on the VASIMR® Program, for example, high voltage, RF power, electromagnets, cryogenics, vacuum chambers, IT and avionics systems, metallic and non-metallic components.
• Experience with vacuum systems and the space environment.
• Certifications using different CAD/CAE software tools.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. (i.e., instruments, books, equipment, small devices, and supplies).
• Ability to stand or be seated for long periods of time.
• Stooping, reaching, climbing, working on a ladder, and bending may be periodically required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person