Staff Systems Engineer

Astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Astra seeks a Staff Space Products Systems Engineer to lead architecture, integration, and lifecycle management of spacecraft hardware for LEO missions. You will own system-level design and drive flight-ready solutions in collaboration with propulsion, avionics, structures, and operations teams.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in spacecraft systems engineering, deep expertise in architecture, verification, and qualification testing, and familiarity with space standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Systems Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of spacecraft systems engineering experience delivering flight hardware.
• Strong background in system-level architecture, requirements, and integration.
• Expertise in one or more areas such as electric propulsion, fluids, avionics, or structural/thermal design.
• Experience with LEO requirements, thermal management, radiation and operations constraints.
• Hands-on verification, validation and qualification testing of flight hardware.
• Familiar with NASA/ESA/ECSS/MIL-STD space standards and processes.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication for program-level decisions.

Responsibilities

• System-level ownership for spacecraft subsystems and hardware from concept to flight.
• Define system requirements, architecture, and interfaces for LEO products.
• Lead cross-disciplinary trade studies balancing performance, mass, power, cost, and reliability.
• Develop test plans and verify requirements via analysis, inspection, and flight tests.
• Support environmental qualification and acceptance testing for space hardware.
• Drive reliability analyses, fault management, and safety for multi-year missions.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, structures, and operations teams.
• Mentor engineers, conduct technical reviews, and represent engineering in reviews.

Skills

System-level ownership

Architecture & design

Integration & trade studies

Verification & validation

Flight readiness

Reliability & safety

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Customer & mission support

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Aerospace/Mechanical Systems Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

STK

MBSE tools

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 a highly experienced Staff Space Products Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and lifecycle management of spacecraft hardware designed for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions. This role is focused on system-level design, bringing together multidisciplinary hardware and software elements to deliver flight-qualified solutions. A strong background in electric propulsion systems is preferred. The ideal candidate will be a recognized technical leader who can drive system definition from concept through flight operations, ensuring robust performance in the challenging space environment.

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• System-Level Ownership: Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft subsystems and integrated hardware, from concept through qualification and flight.
• Architecture & Design: Define system requirements, architecture, and interfaces for products supporting LEO missions.
• Integration & Trade Studies: Lead cross-disciplinary trade studies, balancing performance, mass, power, cost, manufacturability, and reliability at the system level.
• Verification & Validation: Develop system-level test plans and ensure verification of requirements through analysis, inspection, and flight-representative testing.
• Flight Readiness: Support environmental qualification (thermal-vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC) and acceptance testing for space hardware.
• Reliability & Safety: Drive FMEA, fault management design, and reliability analyses to ensure system robustness for multi-year missions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with propulsion, avionics, structures, and operations teams to deliver integrated, flight-ready products.
• Technical Leadership: Mentor senior and junior engineers, conduct technical reviews, and act as a subject matter expert for spacecraft system integration.
• Customer & Mission Support: Represent engineering in customer reviews, provide input to mission planning, and support spacecraft integration and operations when needed.

Why We Value You

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering, with a proven track record of delivering flight hardware.
• Strong background in system-level architecture, requirements development, and spacecraft integration.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more areas (preferred: electric propulsion, fluid systems, spacecraft avionics, or structural/thermal design).
• Experience with LEO spacecraft requirements, including thermal management, radiation environment, and mission operations constraints.
• Hands-on experience with verification, validation, and qualification testing of flight hardware.
• Familiarity with space standards and processes (NASA, ESA, ECSS, MIL-STD, or equivalent).
• Exceptional problem-solving and communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence technical and strategic decisions at the program level.

Desired Multipliers

• Direct experience with electric propulsion subsystems (Hall-effect, ion thrusters, or advanced EP architectures).
• Background in designing and certifying hardware for LEO satellite constellations or commercial spacecraft.
• Experience leading large cross-functional engineering efforts.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and test of space-qualified hardware at scale.
• Proficiency in system modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, STK, Model-Based Systems Engineering tools).
• Experience designing spacecraft systems to withstand space environments.

The pay range for this role is: $160,000-220,000 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.