Overview
Engineer I-IV: LabVIEW / DAQ Controls
LOCATION: Cape Canaveral, FL
JOB STATUS: Full-time
CLEARANCE: BI investigation
TRAVEL: Limited; as needed
Must be US citizen
Astrion is seeking an entry or mid-level Controls & Data Acquisition Engineer (Engineer I - IV) to support advanced In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technology development efforts for future lunar and Martian missions. This role will be embedded within NASA's engineering laboratories at Kennedy Space Center, including the Applied Chemistry Lab (ACL), Cryogenic Test Lab (CTL), and Swamp Works.
The selected candidate will play a critical role in the design, development, integration, and testing of reactor and purification systems, with a strong focus on LabVIEW-based control systems, sensor integration, and high-quality data acquisition in harsh and extreme environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement DAQ (Data Acquisition) and control systems using National Instruments LabVIEW or similar platforms
- Instrument ISRU reactor and purification systems with sensors capable of operating under extreme thermal, pressure, and environmental conditions
- Develop and implement closed-loop control systems for heaters, actuators, and other hardware components
- Integrate and command hardware including:
- Stepper motors and motor drivers
- Linear actuators
- Heating elements and control devices
- Acquire, process, filter, and log high-quality sensor data for analysis and reporting
- Develop and troubleshoot systems using common communication protocols (RS232, I2C, CAN, EtherCAT)
- Support system integration, checkout, and testing in laboratory and simulated space environments
- Develop test plans, procedures, and execution strategies for technology development and validation
- Analyze experimental data and generate formal technical reports, documentation, and publications
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, chemical, and systems engineers
- Generate and maintain engineering drawings, primarily electrical schematics with some mechanical documentation
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- 1 to 7+ years of relevant engineering experience
- OR Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with:
- National Instruments LabVIEW (strongly preferred) or equivalent DAQ/control systems
- Demonstrated experience with instrumentation, including:
- Thermocouples
- Pressure sensors
- Limit switches
- Current and voltage sensors
- Experience developing and implementing data acquisition and logging systems
- Experience working with hardware control systems and actuator integration
- Familiarity with communication protocols such as RS232, I2C, CAN, and/or EtherCAT
- Experience developing and executing test plans and interpreting experimental results
- Proven ability to write technical reports and engineering documentation
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with harsh or extreme environments (thermal, vacuum, cryogenic, or high-pressure systems)
- Understanding of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) concepts and challenges
- Familiarity with lunar regolith or planetary surface systems
- Experience supporting NASA or aerospace R&D environments
- Experience integrating hardware and software systems in testbeds or prototype systems
- Exposure to model-based design, controls theory, or real-time systems
Work Environment
- Hands-on laboratory and test environment across multiple facilities
- Combination of hardware integration, software development, and experimental testing
- Collaborative, fast-paced R&D setting with evolving requirements and high-impact outcomes
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