CAD Engineer Associate (Spring 2027)

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complex assemblies design

Spaceflight components

Surface modeling

Job summary

Astranis is seeking an Associate in Northern California to model and draw spacecraft components and contribute to hardware development. This salaried, twelve-week program targets new grads or those transitioning into space hardware roles, with opportunities to join full-time.

Role focuses on modeling components, maintaining the design library, and documenting best practices to enable efficient, reliable designs for high‑orbit spacecraft.

Qualifications

• Hold a four-year B.S. degree or pursuing a M.S. in mechanical, aerospace, or an equivalent technical degree like physics, applied math, or industrial design
• Has a passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment with hands-on development
• Experience with SolidWorks and GD&T; ability to read engineering drawings

Responsibilities

• Model and draw components, structures, and manifolds for the spacecraft and its supporting structures
• Maintain and improve our design library and data infrastructure
• Develop, ideate, and document considerate practices that enable good and efficient design

Skills

Hands-on hardware development

Experience with GD&T

Fast-paced work adaptability

Education

BS in mechanical/aerospace or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

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 $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

As an Associate, you will have an amazing opportunity to work on hard problems — we pride ourselves on giving everyone at Astranis a chance to do meaningful work on complex projects, no matter their seniority. Many past interns and associates have designed and tested hardware/software that have gone to space, and many of them are now full-time employees at Astranis.

Associate positions at Astranis typically last for twelve weeks, and are salaried roles designed for new grads who have graduated from a four-year university. If you have not already graduated from a four-year university, please apply to our internship program.

If you are still a college student, please apply to join us as an Intern.

Role

• Model and draw components, structures, and manifolds for the spacecraft and its supporting structures
• Maintain and improve our design library and data infrastructure
• Develop, ideate, and document considerate practices that enable good and efficient design

Requirements

• Hold a four-year B.S. degree or currently pursuing a M.S. in either mechanical, aerospace, or an equivalent technical degree like physics, applied math, or industrial design
• Has a passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment with hands-on development
• Experience with SolidWorks
• Experience with GD+T and engineering drawings

Bonus

• Experience with design of complex assemblies and components
• Experience in the design of spaceflight components and/or vacuum compatible systems
• Experience with surface modeling

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.