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Staff Systems Engineer Verified today

Astra · Alameda, CA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-07-16
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The Opportunity

Astra seeks a 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 focuses 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. You will be a recognized technical leader who drives system definition from concept through flight operations, ensuring robust performance in the challenging space environment.

Your Responsibilities

  • System-Level Ownership: Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft subsystems and integrated hardware, from concept through qualification and flight.
  • Architecture and Design: Define system requirements, architecture, and interfaces for products supporting LEO missions.
  • Integration and Trade Studies: Lead cross-disciplinary trade studies, balancing performance, mass, power, cost, manufacturability, and reliability at the system level.
  • Verification and 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 and 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 and Mission Support: Represent engineering in customer reviews, provide input to mission planning, and support spacecraft integration and operations when needed.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
  • 8 or more 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: 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 Experience

  • 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 (MATLAB, Simulink, STK, Model-Based Systems Engineering tools).
  • Experience designing spacecraft systems to withstand space environments.

Compensation

Pay range: $160,000 to $220,000 per year (San Francisco Bay Area base salary, excludes bonus and benefits).

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.