ICON is seeking a Planetary Geoscientist to help drive the future of off-planet construction. This role will focus 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. You will interface with internal engineers, external researchers, and vendors to ensure regolith simulants are fit for purpose and support ICON’s goal of enabling sustainable human presence beyond Earth. This role is based in Austin, TX and will report to our Senior Director of Off-Planet Systems. 
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prescribe and document physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of lunar and Martian regolith simulants for ICON’s research and mission goals.

• Support process development, characterization, and optimization for converting lunar and Martian 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 (e.g., 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.

MINIMUM 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.

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 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.