--- title: 'Technical Director, Off Planet Programs at ICON' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/technical-director-off-planet-programs-icon-austin-048q6hk1s0rr' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-09' --- # Technical Director, Off Planet Programs at ICON - **Company:** ICON - **Location:** Austin, TX - **Posted:** 2026-11-06 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-09 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/iconcareers/jobs/6251845004 ## Job description 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. ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended). Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON. As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes. [Internet Applicant Employment Notices](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KtxCrS8fV9XRApKaXFjKJ5twhzR_MkGE) ## About ICON ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: ICON develops advanced 3D printing robotics, software, and materials to transform construction, tackling the global housing crisis and preparing to build on other worlds. - **Entity Type**: Private (Venture-backed; last known round: Series B in February 2022) - **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, United States - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Evan Loomis (Co-Founder) and others; the founding team is not fully detailed in public sources. ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Construction Technology (PropTech), Robotics, Advanced Materials, Aerospace (Off-Planet R&D) - **Target customers**: B2B (homebuilders, developers, military/defense), B2G (government/MILCON projects), and B2C (homebuyers via partner builders) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To advance humanity by using 3D printing robotics, software, and advanced materials to lower the cost and increase the speed and quality of construction, tackling the global housing crisis and preparing to build on other worlds. ## Products & Services - **Vulcan Construction System**: A large-scale 3D printing robotic system that prints single-story and multi-story concrete homes and structures. Type: Hardware + Software. - **Phoenix Multi-Story Printer**: A newer, radical robotic printer unveiled to enable multi-story construction. Type: Hardware + Software. - **Proprietary Advanced Materials (e.g., Lavacrete)**: A low-carbon, high-strength concrete mix designed specifically for 3D printing. Type: Material. - **Digital Catalog for Residential Architecture**: A catalog of pre-designed, printable home models. Type: Software/Service. - **AI Architect for Home Design**: An AI-powered tool for home design and construction planning. Type: Software. - **Off-Planet R&D**: Research and development of construction systems for use on the Moon and Mars, including work under NASA contracts. Type: R&D Service. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (Private company). - **Key Metric**: $564.7M in total funding across 8 rounds. Annual revenue estimated at $18.0M (source: LinkedIn). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Tiger Global Management (led Series B), Moderne Ventures (led Series A), Oakhouse Partners (led Seed). Partners include NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and various homebuilding firms. - **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 228 employees (+10.8% YoY); 42 active job postings (+223.1% YoY); expansion into military construction (MILCON); ongoing development of the Phoenix multi-story printer and Off-Planet systems. ## Competitive Advantages - **Pioneer & First-Mover**: One of the first companies to successfully deploy large-scale 3D printing for livable homes, creating a strong brand and operational track record. - **Vertically Integrated Technology Stack**: Proprietary robotics, software, and materials are all developed in-house, creating a defensible moat and optimized system performance. - **High-Profile Government & Space Contracts**: Partnerships with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense provide credibility, non-dilutive funding, and a unique market position. - **Mission-Driven Brand**: The dual mission of solving the housing crisis and building on other worlds attracts top talent and media attention. ## Strategic Focus - **Scaling Military & Government Projects (MILCON)**: A major focus is on winning and delivering large-scale construction projects for the U.S. military. - **Multi-Story Construction**: The Phoenix printer represents a key strategic pivot to enable taller, denser buildings, opening up new market segments. - **Commercialization & Replicability**: Moving from R&D and pilot projects to a repeatable, scalable business model that can be deployed globally. - **Off-Planet Systems**: Continued R&D for lunar and Martian construction, maintaining a long-term vision that differentiates the company. ## Why Work Here - **Mission & Impact**: The opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that directly addresses the global housing crisis and has a tangible, physical impact. The "Earth and beyond" mission is a powerful motivator. - **Hands-On, Cross-Disciplinary Learning**: Employees gain deep, practical experience across robotics, materials science, software, and field operations. Learning is accelerated. - **Comprehensive Benefits**: Includes medical/dental/vision, mental health coverage, "Use What You Need" PTO, generous parental leave, 401K with Roth IRA, and employee stock options. - **Culture**: Described as fast-paced, intense, and driven by a sense of urgency and ownership. Attracts builders, engineers, and operators who want to reinvent an industry. - **Work Policy**: Roles are primarily based in Austin, TX (HQ), with some field positions in Miami, FL. The environment is largely on-site, especially for engineering, operations, and print roles. - **Considerations**: The culture is also noted for high volatility, including a 25% workforce reduction in January 2025. Workload can be intense with long hours, and leadership is described as uneven by some sources. Candidates seeking stability and process maturity may find the environment challenging. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/icon-build/faq/workplace-perception) ## Sources 1. [iconbuild.com](https://www.iconbuild.com/) 2. [iconbuild.com/careers](https://www.iconbuild.com/careers) 3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/iconcareers](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/iconcareers) 4. [linkedin.com/company/icon3dtech](https://www.linkedin.com/company/icon3dtech) 5. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/icon-build/faq/workplace-perception) ## Other roles at ICON - [Electro-Mechanical Technician III](https://feeny.ai/job/electro-mechanical-technician-iii-icon-austin-cdw8amd5n7eb) — Austin, TX - [Manager, Robotics Software](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-robotics-software-icon-austin-mjzsc7ry3qce) — Austin, TX - [Structural Applications Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-applications-engineer-ii-icon-austin-yjhmphfwbq7e) — Austin, TX - [Senior Welder & Fabricator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-welder-fabricator-icon-austin-jw6k8te07ed2) — Austin, TX - [Field Inventory Manager II](https://feeny.ai/job/field-inventory-manager-ii-icon-austin-23fpzbhtca5r) — Austin, TX - [Construction Survey Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/construction-survey-specialist-icon-austin-z2t53wbgm1bq) — Austin, TX - [Print Operations Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/print-operations-technician-icon-austin-enaqjdttzexz) — Austin, TX - [Manager, Fleet & Program Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-fleet-program-operations-icon-austin-5337ktz0kqvx) — Austin, TX - [Director, Compliance](https://feeny.ai/job/director-compliance-icon-austin-nyvhb9vjkrjs) — Austin, TX - [Sr. Associate Business Development Director I](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-associate-business-development-director-i-icon-remote-vcpqcgrabzk4)