Fall 2026 Spacecraft & Launch Intern

astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 25,003 - 35,610; Full time

Job summary

Astra is seeking motivated undergraduates to join our team and contribute to advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle projects. You will be matched to teams based on interests and company needs after initial hiring.

Responsibilities include design, development, systems and mechanical engineering, analyses, testing, collaboration, and documentation across spacecraft and launch programs.

Qualifications

• Must be an incoming Sophomore, Junior, or Senior at a 4-year institution or junior/community college.
• Hands-on project experience through internships, research, senior design projects, or extracurricular activities.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Motivation to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Design & Development: work with senior engineers to design, develop, and test spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware.
• Systems Engineering: support requirements definition, interface management, and integration activities for flight systems.
• Mechanical Engineering: assist with CAD modeling, design for manufacturability, and structural/thermal design of components.
• Analysis Engineering: perform structural, thermal, or fluid analyses for subsystems and components; contribute to trade studies.
• Testing & Verification: participate in test campaigns to validate designs against flight requirements.
• Collaboration: work on cross-disciplinary teams across spacecraft and launch vehicle programs.
• Documentation: support the preparation of engineering drawings, test reports, and design docs to industry standards.
• General Disciplines: support overall organization infrastructure.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Learning mindset

Education

Student (Sophomore/Jr/Sr) at 4-year or community college

Job description

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.

The Opportunity

We are seeking highly motivated incoming sophomores, juniors, and senior in any discipline to join our team developing advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle systems. Based on interests, skills, and company needs, successful applicants will be matched to specific teams after the initial hiring process.

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Contribute to Design & Development: Work with senior engineers to design, develop, and test spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware.
• Systems Engineering: Support requirements definition, interface management, and integration activities for flight systems spanning spacecraft and launch vehicles.
• Mechanical Engineering: Assist with CAD modeling, design for manufacturability, and structural/thermal design of components such as thrusters, tanks, structures, or engine hardware.
• Analysis Engineering: Perform structural, thermal, or fluid analyses for both spacecraft subsystems and launch vehicle components; contribute to trade studies that guide major design decisions.
• Testing & Verification: Participate in test campaigns (vibration, thermal-vacuum, propulsion performance, or structural testing) to validate designs against flight requirements.
• Collaboration: Work on cross-disciplinary teams across spacecraft and launch vehicle programs to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Documentation: Support the preparation of engineering drawings, test reports, and design documentation to industry standards.
• General Disciplines (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, HR, Business Management, IT, Computer Science, etc.): Support the overall organization infrastructure.

Why We Value You

• Your MUST be an incoming Sophomore, Junior, or Senior at a 4-yr institution or junior/community college to be eligible
• Hands-on project experience through internships, research, senior design projects, or extracurricular activities.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Motivation to learn in a fast-paced environment.

The pay range for this role is:$22/hr

Expected start date: Fall 2026 - must be incoming undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior or currently in grad school

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.

San Francisco Applicants:Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

ITAR Requirements:This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. 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. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.