As the Director, Off-Planet Programs you will own and lead ICON’s off-planet robotics, construction, and materials initiatives across hardware, electrical, software, material science, R&D, and operations. This is a highly strategic and execution-driven leadership role, partnering closely with program management, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to scale ICON’s space robotics and extraterrestrial construction capabilities.

You will shape the long-term technical vision, infrastructure, and execution strategy for ICON’s off-planet programs—driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustained market leadership in autonomous construction beyond Earth.

This is a full-time position based on-site on ICON's Austin, TX HQ Campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the extreme owner of ICON’s off-planet systems and space robotics outputs across engineering, R&D, material science, and operations.

• Lead and scale multidisciplinary teams spanning robotics, autonomous systems, material science, and construction technologies.

• Partner closely with program management to execute complex, high-risk, multi-disciplinary initiatives.

• Interface with executive leadership, internal stakeholders, customers, and government partners to align technical strategy with business objectives.

• Build, operate, and continuously evolve a state-of-the-art research and operations facility supporting off-planet robotics and construction programs.

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with industry leaders, space agencies, vendors, and critical contractors.

• Develop long-term R&D roadmaps and strategic plans, including resourcing, budgeting, and technical investment priorities.

• Provide broad technical and strategic guidance to VP- and C-level leadership on off-planet business objectives, anticipating market, regulatory, and technological factors influencing medium- and long-term success.

• Lead groups, divisions, and product teams with full accountability for delivery, performance, and outcomes.

• Oversee and integrate all off-planet initiatives, developing new methods and approaches to solve company-wide technical and operational challenges in space robotics and autonomous construction.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.

• 15+ years of relevant industry experience, with demonstrated focus on off-planet systems, lunar environments, materials, and/or space robotic systems.

• Proven experience developing multiple products that have achieved space flight or off-planet deployment.

• Demonstrated success building and leading senior-level technical and engineering teams.

• Strong systems engineering expertise with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary systems.

• Excellent interpersonal, executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience with autonomous and teleoperated robotic systems in remote or extreme environments.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• M.S. or advanced degree in Robotics, Systems Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field.

• Experience with spaceflight-rated software systems and software quality processes.

• Experience with spaceflight-rated hardware, verification & validation (V&V), and mission-critical systems.

• 10+ years of experience developing and shipping real-time embedded and electro-mechanical systems to end customers (ideally in the space industry).

• Experience with networked and distributed systems.

• Strong understanding of autonomy, robotics, and system-level architectural frameworks.