ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Associate Research Scientist

About Intuitive Machines 

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

We are seeking a talented and experienced Associate Research Scientist to join our team. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop, support, and supervise ShadowCam science project plans to realize the ShadowCam extended mission goals.
• Lead/Co-lead instrument science operations (ongoing/new), conduct review meetings and presentations.
• Liaison between IM and space exploration agencies (domestic and international) for development, support, and data analytics projects
• Lead lunar mission proposal submissions.
• Mentor team members and implement processes for knowledge transfer
• Co-lead, support, and supervise instrument calibration and performance evaluation plans (pre-flight and on-orbit)
• Track relevant emerging technologies, trends, and practices in support of IM operations

Daily science/ technical duties will include a combination of the following: 

Analysis of lunar data to characterize impact crater morphology (shape, degradation, ejecta distribution, wall surface processes). Investigation of the relationship between illumination and temperature in the permanently shadowed regions. Analysis of surface morphology and regolith behavior at the PSRs. Analysis of landing site-specific thermal and illumination analysis. Executing and improving existing secondary illumination algorithms. Analysis of surface communications (LOS, Fresnel zones, path loss). Developing and supporting the implementation of raw data calibration and image post-processing algorithms. Discussing, disseminating, and presenting scientific research results. Generate lunar data visualizations and graphics for science communication.

Requirements: 

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with experience in Planetary Remote Sensing.
• Extensive experience working with NASA instrument teams (10+ years)
• Expertise with calibration of TRL6+ cameras (10+ years)
• Expertise in mathematical modeling, simulation, and algorithm development (10+ years)
• Expertise in lunar data analysis and visualization (10+ years)
• Expertise with lunar orbiter observation geometry for targeting and mapping (5+ years)
• Expertise with SPICE, ISIS, GDAL, MATLAB (10+ years)
• Statistical analysis expertise (5+ years)
• Track record of peer reviewed publications (10+ years)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years experience working in a leadership role (PI or Deputy-PI)
• Detailed knowledge of lunar datasets.
• Skilled in implementing proof-of-concept analytical and simulation algorithms (MATLAB, Python)
• Expertise with MATLAB or equivalent
• Skilled in the use of data visualization tools (Tableu/PowerBI)
• Experience leading NASA proposal submissions

US EEO Statement

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion,

creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical

disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.