Senior Mechanical Engineer- Spacecraft Configuration

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

401(k)

Flexible PTO

On-site meals

Job summary

Astranis is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the complete lifecycle of spacecraft subsystems, driving designs from concept through validation. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn plans into flight hardware and mentor junior engineers throughout programs.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in mechanical design, aerospace experience, and strong hands-on testing capabilities. This role includes leadership responsibilities in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical design or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing aerospace structures or mechanisms.
• Flight hardware design for satellites.
• Strong CAD background; SolidWorks preferred.
• GD&T and manufacturability-focused design.
• Ability to design, evaluate, and procure complex assemblies (30-40 parts).

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spaceflight structures and mechanisms.
• Own outcomes for spaceflight hardware.
• Develop launch and on-orbit requirements.
• Manage subsystem schedules with the AIT team.
• Mentor junior engineers and assist recruiting.

Skills

Mentoring

Hands-on Testing

Problem Solving

Leadership

CAD (SolidWorks)

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Eng

M.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Eng

Tools

SolidWorks

Femap

Ansys

SolidWorks Simulation

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer- Spacecraft Configuration

As an Astranis Senior Mechanical Engineer you will own the complete lifecycle of various subsystems on our spacecraft. Whether it is incremental improvements or the introduction of a new system, you will work together with the various other teams at Astranis to make them a reality.

In addition to being a significant individual on your own, you will mentor and train junior mechanical engineers on such projects. You must have a strong problem-solving background, hands‑on testing skills, and preferably some experience with spacecraft and/or aerospace engineering.

Role

• Perform mechanical design and analysis of spaceflight structures and/or mechanisms
• Complete ownership of product outcomes for spaceflight hardware
• Develop requirements for launch and on‑orbit environments, including loads, interfaces, and functional requirements
• Manage system level schedule and integration requirements for your subsystems while working together with the Assembly, Integration, and Test team to enable a smooth build process
• Develop and define design best practices for future programs
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly‑growing team.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S in mechanical, aerospace engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years of mechanical design or equivalent experience
• Experience designing aerospace structures or mechanisms
• Designed flight hardware for a prior satellite program
• Strong CAD design background (SolidWorks Preferred)
• Experience with GD&T and designing for manufacturability
• Demonstrated ability to personally design, evaluate, and procure complex mechanical assemblies with 30-40 components in aerospace or similar
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast‑paced environment with hands‑on design and development
• A motivated leader who has experience mentoring and supporting junior engineers
• Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

Bonus

• Experience in Assembly Integration and Test of spacecraft
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (Femap, Ansys, Solidworks Sim)
• Experience with defining vibration environments and running mechanical testing on spacecraft and spacecraft components
• Experience running a development program while delegating to a small team

What we offer:

• All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.
• Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high‑quality company‑subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on‑site catered meals.
• Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional‑grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

• Base Salary Level I $155,000 — $195,000 USD
• Base Salary Level II $185,000 — $235,000 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.