Sr Staff Software Engineer

Astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks a Sr. Staff Software Engineer to architect and build systems that automate rocket testing, manufacturing, and launches. You will design tools to collect and analyze telemetry data and mentor engineers to elevate the team’s technical capability.

This AI-forward role emphasizes fast iteration, reliability, and solving hard problems in mission-critical software. You will collaborate across teams to deliver cohesive solutions and scale cloud infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of production software experience.
• Expert Python and TypeScript; experience with C/C++, Go.
• Proven cloud-native, highly available systems experience.
• Strong API design experience across REST/gRPC/Protobuf.
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving architectural decisions.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead rocket testing, manufacturing, and launch operations.
• Innovate high-speed data collection and real-time telemetry analysis.
• Lead technical direction and establish best practices for mission-critical software.
• Integrate across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to build cohesive solutions.
• Scale cloud-native infrastructure and services with high availability.

Skills

Python

TypeScript

C/C++

Go

Telemetry data

API design

Cloud-native design

Mentoring engineers

System design

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

AWS

GCP

Azure

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 Team

The software team has always operated as a small, versatile team that punches above its weight. As we grow we want to maintain those cross-functional technical skillsets and embrace diversity in backgrounds because sometimes writing the best rocket company software in the world is like programming a synthesizer, and other times it is like sanding the rust off of an old cabinet.

The Opportunity

Did writing software to launch rockets not already convince you to sign up?

As a Sr. Staff Software Engineer, you will architect and build systems that automate every aspect of testing and launching rockets.You'lldesign the tools to collect and analyze high-speed, high-precision telemetry data, lead technical initiatives across the organization, and invent the technologies that power the next generation of the space industry.

This is a high-impact role whereyou'llshape technical direction, mentor engineers, and solve problems thatdon'thave existing solutions.

We are an AI-forward engineering organization.Are you already to use AI tools to write code, architect systems, and solve complex problems in your daily work? Ourengineers:

• Use AI as a force multiplier in their daily work
• Design systems assuming AI-assisted development and operations
• Value engineers who experiment, adapt quickly, and adopt better tools

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Architect : Design and lead the development of systems that automate rocket testing, manufacturing, and launch operations across the organization.
• Innovate : Inventnew approachesto high-speed data collection, real-time telemetry analysis, and control systems for critical operations.
• Lead : Drive technical direction, mentor engineers, andestablishbest practices for building mission-critical software.
• Integrate : Work across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to understand end-to-end workflows and build cohesive solutions.
• Scale : Build cloud-native infrastructure and services with high availability and high reliability that enable fast iteration.
• Collaborate : Partner with teams of diverse backgrounds and skill sets, bringing empathy and technical depth to every interaction.

Why We Value You

• 12+ years extensive experience building production software systems, with deepexpertisein both legacy and modern technologies
• Expert-levelproficiencyin Python and TypeScript, with experience working across C/C++, Go, and other languages
• Proventrack recordof architecting and delivering cloud-native systems with high availability and reliability
• Deep experience with system design, data pipelines, real-time telemetry systems, and time-series databases
• Strong understanding of API design patterns and frameworks (REST,gRPC, JSON, YAML,Protobuf)
• Experience leading technical initiatives, mentoring engineers, and driving architectural decisions
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, reactive environment where software touches everyfacetof the organization
• Passion for tackling hard, novel problems and inventingnew solutions
• Exceptional attention to detail and sense of urgency—you understand we work with high voltage, explosives, and cryogenic materials
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with empathy for diverse teams and stakeholders

What Sets You Apart

• You architect systems that are simple, reliable, and scale effortlessly
• You invent solutions to problems thatdon'thave existing answers
• You mentor engineers and elevate the technical capability of the team
• You make complex technical decisions clear and accessible to diverse stakeholders
• You move fast whilemaintainingexceptional quality in mission-critical systems
• You have strong opinions about software architecture—and can back them up with experience

Desired Multipliers

• Experience in aerospace, robotics, or hardware-software integration systems
• Contributions toopen sourceprojects or technical leadership in the broader community
• Background in control systems, packet tracing, or embedded systems
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and modern cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Track recordof scaling teams or technical practices

What Success Looks Like

• Systems are architected for reliability, scalability, and maintainability
• Engineers across the organization are unblocked and moving faster
• Technical decisions are well-documented and widely understood
• Critical systemsoperateflawlessly under extreme conditions
• The team is growing in capability and delivering increasing impact

The pay range for this role is: $179,140-240,000 per year

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.