Spacecraft & Launch Systems Intern — Winter/Spring 2026

Astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra invites incoming sophomores, juniors, or seniors to join our San Francisco Bay Area team developing spacecraft and launch vehicle systems. Based on interests and company needs, you’ll be matched to specific teams after the initial hiring process.

You will contribute to design and development, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and testing while collaborating across disciplines. The program emphasizes hands-on project work, mentoring, and rapid learning in a dynamic space industry.

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: design, develop, and test spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware with senior engineers.
• Systems Engineering: support requirements definition, interface management, and integration activities.
• Mechanical Engineering: CAD modeling and design for manufacturability of thrusters, tanks, structures, or engine hardware.
• Analysis Engineering: perform structural, thermal, or fluid analyses and contribute to design trade studies.
• Testing & Verification: participate in vibration, thermal-vacuum, propulsion, or structural test campaigns.
• Collaboration: work on cross-disciplinary teams across spacecraft and launch vehicle programs.
• Documentation: support engineering drawings, test reports, and design documentation.
• General Disciplines: support overall organizational infrastructure.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Motivation to learn

Education

Undergraduate student (Sophomore/Junior/Senior)

Tools

CAD modeling

Job description

Astra invites incoming sophomores, juniors, or seniors to join our San Francisco Bay Area team developing spacecraft and launch vehicle systems. Based on interests and company needs, you’ll be matched to specific teams after the initial hiring process.

You will contribute to design and development, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and testing while collaborating across disciplines. The program emphasizes hands-on project work, mentoring, and rapid learning in a dynamic space industry.