General Application - New Grads

Astra Space Inc; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra is seeking new graduate engineers to join teams developing advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle systems. This general posting covers systems engineering, mechanical design, and analysis disciplines, with placement after initial hiring based on interests and company needs.

Responsibilities include design, development, testing, requirements definition, interface management, and documentation to industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, systems, electrical engineering, physics or related field.
• Strong foundation in engineering fundamentals (mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, or systems analysis).
• Hands-on project experience through internships, research, senior design projects or extracurricular activities.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, modeling software, or coding/scripting languages (MATLAB, Python, etc.) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Passion for spacecraft and launch vehicle systems and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, development, and testing of spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware.
• Support requirements definition, interface management, and integration activities for flight systems.
• Assist with CAD modeling, design for manufacturability, and structural/thermal design of components.
• Perform structural, thermal, or fluid analyses for subsystems and components; participate in trade studies.
• Participate in test campaigns (vibration, thermal-vacuum, propulsion performance, structural) to validate designs.
• Collaborate on cross-disciplinary teams across spacecraft and launch vehicle programs.

Skills

CAD tools familiarity

MATLAB/Python programming

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field

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 new graduate engineers to join our team developing advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle systems . This is a unique opportunity for recent graduates to contribute to both in-space propulsion technologies and launch vehicle hardware while exploring different engineering disciplines. Candidates who apply to this general posting will be considered for multiple roles across systems engineering, mechanical design, and analysis disciplines . 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.

Why We Value You

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong academic foundation in engineering fundamentals (mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, or systems analysis).
• Hands-on project experience through internships, research, senior design projects, or extracurricular engineering activities.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, modeling software, or coding/scripting languages (MATLAB, Python, etc.) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Passion for spacecraft and launch vehicle systems and motivation to learn in a fast-paced environment.

The pay range for this role is:temp to full-time $22/hr

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.