Automation & Controls Engineering Intern (Winter 2027)

XYZ Venture Capital; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 3,444,000 - 4,546,000; Part time

Job summary

Astranis seeks an Automation & Controls Engineering Intern (Winter 2027) to help build automated test infrastructure for spacecraft hardware and ground-support equipment. You will work at the intersection of hardware and software, partnering with engineers from design through validation to operational support.

The role involves collaborating across teams, supporting control panels, wiring, sensors, and DAQ systems, and applying strong Python skills in a lab/factory setting.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related technical degree.
• Experience through coursework, projects, internships, clubs, or personal work in electrical circuits, sensors, data acquisition, embedded systems, PLCs, or hardware/software integration.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• 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.
• Assist with electrical controls hardware, including control panels, wiring, sensors, actuators, relays, power distribution, DAQ systems, and safety interlocks.
• Collaborate with environmental test, mechanical, electrical, reliability, manufacturing, and software teams to build safe and repeatable test solutions.

Skills

Python

Lab experience

Hardware testing

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DAQ systems

PLCs

Instrumentation

Job description

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.

Automation & Controls Engineering Intern (Winter 2027)

As an Automation & Controls Engineering Intern, 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
• Assist with electrical controls hardware, including control panels, wiring, sensors, actuators, relays, power distribution, DAQ systems, and safety interlocks
• Collaborate with environmental test, mechanical, electrical, reliability, manufacturing, and software teams to build safe and repeatable test solutions

Requirements

• Currently pursuing 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
• Willingness to work in a lab or factory environment and perform hands‑on hardware tasks

The base pay for this position is $29.00 per hour.

Base Hourly Pay

$29 – $29 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.