Astra

Staff Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft Engine

Alameda, CA · Staff+ · Contract

Sponsorship not specified$160k-$220kDetected 16 days ago

CybersecuritySupply ChainSystems EngineeringMechanical DesignLeadershipCollaboration

About the role

This role is critical to ensuring that our propulsion systems not only achieve world-class performance and reliability in orbit but are also optimized for repeatable, cost-effective, and scalable production.
Material & Process Selection: Evaluate and specify advanced materials, coatings, and joining methods compatible with high-temperature plasma environments and long-duration missions.
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position.

Own and develop the structural and thermal design of Hall-effect thruster components including discharge channels, magnetic circuits, and electrode assemblies.
Drive DFM/DFA practices across the thruster hardware, ensuring scalability from prototype to high-volume production.
Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain partners to mature designs, resolve producibility challenges, and qualify vendors.
Work closely with plasma physics, electrical, and systems engineering teams to balance mechanical design with thruster performance, integration, and mission needs.
How You'll Fulfill Your Mission Thruster Mechanical Architecture: Own and develop the structural and thermal design of Hall-effect thruster components including discharge channels, magnetic circuits, and electrode assemblies.
Design for Manufacturability: Drive DFM/DFA practices across the thruster hardware, ensuring scalability from prototype to high-volume production.
Supplier Engagement: Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain partners to mature designs, resolve producibility challenges, and qualify vendors.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with plasma physics, electrical, and systems engineering teams to balance mechanical design with thruster performance, integration, and mission needs.

All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant's status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency
in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws.
Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry's leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

$160,000-220,000 per year The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area and excludes additional earnings such as bonus and benefits.
If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position.
Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

We are looking for a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and manufacturability of next-generation Hall-effect thrusters for spacecraft propulsion.

All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant's status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any req

This listing is sourced directly from Astra's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.