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ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist II to support the development of off-planet construction capabilities. This role focuses on understanding and simulating extraterrestrial soils—specifically lunar and Martian regolith—and developing methods to validate, manage, and leverage these simulants for research, development, and robotic construction systems.
You will work at the intersection of planetary science, materials engineering, and robotics. Key responsibilities include:
• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants aligned with ICON's research and mission objectives.
• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting 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 (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.
This role reports to the Senior Director of Off-Planet Systems and is based in Austin, TX.
REQUIREMENTS:
• 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 written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
• Experience with lunar or Martian regolith simulants.
• Familiarity with planetary and 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.
