Employment Opportunities at Malin Space Science Systems

Updated: 11 March 2008

Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS), located in San Diego, California, designs, develops, operates, and conducts scientific research with instruments that fly on robotic spacecraft. The company is currently operating the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Mars Color Imager (MARCI) and Context Camera (CTX). The MRO has been orbiting Mars since March 2006. MSSS is also building several cameras for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory, the 2008 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Juno mission to Jupiter. MSSS built the Mars Descent Imager (MARDI) for the 2007 Phoenix Mars Scout mission and has an autonomous Mars rover development and field test effort underway. In addition, the company recently completed 10 years of operation of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC).

The MSSS web site (http://www.msss.com/) includes descriptions of these projects, as well as samples of recent images returned from Mars.

MSSS currently has the following open positions:

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (Full Time)

MSSS is looking for a Mid-level Mechanical Engineer to join our Flight Systems Development Group.

Our candidate will work supporting the development of mechanical aspects of our current flight development programs.

You will be asked to design, analyze and test instruments and their associated test hardware, from design and fabrication through test, calibration and delivery to the respective spacecrafts. In addition, you will occasionally be called upon to assist in the development of proposals for future instruments or to provide support to other engineering efforts. This might include our ongoing technology development work in robotics.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, mechanical and thermal modeling, analysis and system design for current projects. Interface definition and drawings, and fabrication oversight of mechanical and thermal systems with respect to our customers and our vendors.

Please refer to the MSSS website for more information about all of the MSSS camera and missions.

Qualifications: BS Mechanical Engineering with 3-5 years relevant experience. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment; must be self-motivated and eager to acquire new skills. Computer literate and advanced SolidWorks skills are required.

Representative duties include:

Build CAD models of camera systems;
Analyze or review vendor analysis of mechanical systems;
Develop and approve interface control documents;
Understand the requirements for thermal systems;
Build thermal models;
Design thermal systems that meet requirements in a difficult environment;
Build mechanical finite element models;
Manage vendor design and analysis to verify compliance with requirements, including:
Managing the manufacture of custom parts and,
Procuring off-the-shelf components required for camera systems.

MSSS is a small company, providing a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

To apply for this position: Submit your Resume (text email is preferred) to the address below with ME in the subject line.

STAFF OPTICAL ENGINEER (Full Time)

Staff level Optical Engineer to work with and assist Senior Optical Engineer working on cameras for space exploration. Duties include, but are not limited to, procedure planning, design, development and documentation.

Qualifications: Must have experience with optical design and analysis using ZEMAX software. Requires experience in technical document generation for specifications, procedures and drawings related to optical elements and assemblies. Piece, part and optical system qualification test methods including interferometry required. Highly desirable to have opto-mechanical design using AutoCAD software, electro-optical system level testing and calibration and familiarity with ESD sensitive instruments and safe handling.

BS or MS degree in optical engineering, equivalent experience, or a combination of education and related experience. Excellent written and oral communication skills, a willingness to learn new skills and disciplines. Must be flexible, self-motivated and confident. Minimum 4 years opto-mechanical experience.

We invite you to explore our web site to find information about our instruments and the scientific research conducted at MSSS.

To apply for this position: Submit your Resume as indicated below with STAFF ENGINEER in the subject line.

ASSISTANT STAFF SCIENTIST (Full Time)

We are looking for an entry-level geoscientist to join our science/research team.

Our candidate will be trained to assist MSSS scientists in selecting targets for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Context Camera (CTX). The person will also assist MSSS science personnel in the conduct of scientific research with data from Mars spacecraft, and will assist the team efforts in public outreach.

Please refer to the MSSS web site to find information about the cameras observing Mars and the scientific research conducted at MSSS.

QUALIFICATIONS: M.S. in the Geosciences.

Our candidate will be a quick study, have high attention to detail, and possess abilities to multi-task and meet weekly and monthly deadlines.

UNIX and HTML fluent, advanced writing and technical writing skills, and a good sense of geology/geomorphology. Quality field experience is highly desirable. Knowledge of Martian geology/geography is also desirable (but less important than a high interest in doing Mars work). Strong communication skills, both written and oral are required.

MSSS is a small, fast-paced company, providing a dynamic work environment.

To apply for this position: Submit your Resume/CV via email to: jobs at msss dot com with "SCIENCE" in the subject line.

How To Apply

MSSS offers a full benefits package and a retirement plan.

Malin Space Science Systems is an equal opportunity employer.

If you are interested in and qualified for one of the above positions, please e-mail your resume/cv to and indicate the position for which you are applying.