Planetary Geoscientist II, Off-Planet Systems

The role

This role focuses on understanding and simulating lunar and Martian regolith. You will develop methods to validate, manage, and leverage these simulants for research, development, and robotic construction.

What you will do

• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants.
• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting simulants into structural ceramics.
• Validate regolith simulants against planetary analog data.
• Collaborate with mechanical and robotic engineers on geotechnical implications for excavation, conveyance, and processing systems.
• Co-design and qualify regolith and regolith simulant conveyance and handling systems.
• Interface with internal customers and external stakeholders 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.
• Support testing and analysis of simulants under simulated lunar or Martian environmental conditions.

Required 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.

Nice to have

• 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.

About the company

ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist to help drive the future of off-planet construction.