Astra
Staff Systems Engineer
Alameda, CA · Staff+ · Contract
Sponsorship not specified$160k-$220kDetected 16 days ago
MATLABCybersecurityThermal AnalysisAvionicsEMI/EMCMIL-STDSystems EngineeringMechanical DesignAerospace EngineeringSimulinkLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem Solving
About the role
- How You'll Fulfill Your Mission System-Level Ownership: Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft subsystems and integrated hardware, from concept through qualification and flight.
- Technical Leadership: Mentor senior and junior engineers, conduct technical reviews, and act as a subject matter expert for spacecraft system integration.
Responsibilities
- Develop system-level test plans and ensure verification of requirements through analysis, inspection, and flight-representative testing.
- Drive FMEA, fault management design, and reliability analyses to ensure system robustness for multi-year missions.
- Partner with propulsion, avionics, structures, and operations teams to deliver integrated, flight-ready products.
- This role is focused on system-level design, bringing together multidisciplinary hardware and software elements to deliver flight-qualified solutions.
- Architecture & Design: Define system requirements, architecture, and interfaces for products supporting LEO missions.
- Verification & Validation: Develop system-level test plans and ensure verification of requirements through analysis, inspection, and flight-representative testing.
- Reliability & Safety: Drive FMEA, fault management design, and reliability analyses to ensure system robustness for multi-year missions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with propulsion, avionics, structures, and operations teams to deliver integrated, flight-ready products.
- Customer & Mission Support: Represent engineering in customer reviews, provide input to mission planning, and support spacecraft integration and operations when needed.
Requirements
- 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.
- Why We Value You Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering, with a proven track record of delivering flight hardware.
Nice to have
- Astra's mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet.
- 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.
- A strong background in electric propulsion systems is preferred.
- Experience with LEO spacecraft requirements, including thermal management, radiation environment, and mission operations constraints.
- Hands-on experience with verification, validation, and qualification testing of flight hardware.
- Familiarity with space standards and processes (NASA, ESA, ECSS, MIL-STD, or equivalent).
- Exceptional problem-solving and communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence technical and strategic decisions at the program level.
- Desired Multipliers Direct experience with electric propulsion subsystems (Hall-effect, ion thrusters, or advanced EP architectures).
Compensation
- $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.
Company info
- We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Space Products Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and lifecycle management of spacecraft hardware designed for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions.
Visa & Work Authorization
- 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.