Senior Mechatronics Test Engineer

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

401(k)

Flexible PTO

Free on-site meals

Job summary

Astranis in San Francisco is seeking a Senior Mechatronics Engineer to develop, design, and implement tests and test systems for spacecraft mechanisms. You will prove mechanism designs work across environments to guarantee on-orbit success through bench and environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vib).

You will build automated hardware and software test solutions, write Python to control bench equipment, design testing racks, and collaborate with the design team to iterate prototypes.

Qualifications

• BS degree in mechatronics, electrical or computer engineering or equivalent.
• 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on hardware development and fast-paced work experience.
• Ability to turn high-level requirements into concrete design/test objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design automated hardware and software test solutions for spacecraft mechanisms.
• Write Python to control bench equipment, devices under test and test hardware.
• Design and own testing racks used to develop, prototype and qualify mechanisms.
• Collaborate with the design team to provide feedback through prototyping and qualification.
• Assist in recruiting and hiring teammates as the team grows.

Skills

Python

Hardware development

Hands-on design

Ambiguity management

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechatronics / Electrical / Computer Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

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.

Senior Mechatronics Engineer

As a Senior Mechatronics Engineer at Astranis, you will be responsible for developing, designing, and implementing tests and test systems (test support custom hardware) for all the custom mechanisms on our spacecraft. You'll prove that our suite of mechanism designs work across environments to guarantee success on orbit through rigorous tests on the benchtop and in environments (thermal, vacuum, vibe).

Role

• Develop and design automated hardware and software solutions to test+validate mechanism hardware, interfacing with motors and controllers
• Write software in Python to control bench equipment, devices under test, and other test hardware
• Design and own testing racks used to develop, prototype and qualify mechanisms
• Work closely with the design team to provide feedback and insight through prototyping and qualification process
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in mechatronics, electrical or computer engineering, or equivalent technical degree
• 4+ years of relevant experience
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast‑paced environment and hands‑on design and development
• Comfort with ambiguity and turning high‑level requirements into clear design/test objectives
• Hands‑on experience using electrical test equipment (multimeters, torque cells/sensors, power supplies, load cells, servomotors, encoders, etc.) and interfacing with mechanical hardware
• Experience using Python
• Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

Bonus

• Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, burn‑in, and TVAC
• Mechatronics experience using hardware such as motors and mechanisms
• Experience with CAD software (Solidworks, NX, etc.)
• Experience with designing and building electrical harnesses and connectors
• Experience automating tests, test equipment, or similar instrumentation

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.

$145,000 - $195,000 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.