Automation & Controls Engineering Associate (Summer 2027) New San Francisco

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Astranis is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineering Associate for Summer 2027 in San Francisco to help build automated test infrastructure for satellite hardware. You will own electrical controls hardware, integrate systems with environmental test equipment, and collaborate across environmental test, mechanical, electrical, reliability, manufacturing, and software teams.

You will work at the intersection of hardware and software, contributing from design through commissioning and

Qualifications

• Hold a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related technical degree.
• Experience in electrical circuits, instrumentation, sensors, or data acquisition.
• Experience with embedded systems, PLCs, or industrial automation.
• Control systems, state machines, or hardware/software integration.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Clear written communication and ability to work on a cross-functional, hands-on team.
• Willingness to work in a lab or factory environment and perform hands-on hardware tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, build, integration, and commissioning of automated test systems for spacecraft hardware and ground-support equipment.
• Own electrical controls hardware, including control panels, wiring, sensors, actuators, relays, power distribution, DAQ systems, and safety interlocks.
• Integrate automated systems with environmental test equipment, including thermal and thermal-vacuum chambers, vibration systems, pumps, valves, and programmable controllers.
• Collaborate with environmental test, mechanical, electrical, reliability, manufacturing, and software teams to build safe and repeatable test solutions.

Skills

Python

Electrical systems

Embedded systems

Hardware/software integration

Instrumentation/sensors

Data acquisition

Cross-functional teamwork

Written communication

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related

Job description

Automation & Controls Engineering Associate (Summer 2027)

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe – large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military.

With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts. Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization.

Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

As an Automation & Controls Engineering Associate, you’ll help build the automated test infrastructure used to shake, heat, cool, evacuate, and otherwise stress satellite hardware during environmental testing. From electrical control systems and safety interlocks to test automation software and telemetry pipelines, your work will help enable safe, reliable, and repeatable spacecraft testing.

You’ll work at the intersection of hardware and software, collaborating with experienced engineers and technicians from early design and prototyping through commissioning, validation, and operational support.

Role

• Support the design, build, integration, and commissioning of automated test systems for spacecraft hardware and ground-support equipment
• Own electrical controls hardware, including control panels, wiring, sensors, actuators, relays, power distribution, DAQ systems, and safety interlocks
• Integrate automated systems with environmental test equipment, including thermal and thermal-vacuum chambers, vibration systems, pumps, valves, and programmable controllers
• Collaborate with environmental test, mechanical, electrical, reliability, manufacturing, and software teams to build safe and repeatable test solutions

Requirements

• Hold a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related technical degree
• Experience through coursework, projects, research, internships, clubs, or personal work in one or more of the following areas:
• Electrical circuits, instrumentation, sensors, or data acquisition
• Embedded systems, PLCs, or industrial automation
• Control systems, state machines, or hardware/software integration
• Strong proficiency in Python
• Clear written communication skills and the ability to work effectively on a cross-functional, hands-on engineering team
• Willingness to work in a lab or factory environment and perform hands-on hardware tasks

The base salary for this position is $1,925 per week.

$1,925 - $1,925 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.

As set forth in Astranis’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.