# Spacecraft Engineer - Office of the CTO **Astranis** - **Location:** San Francisco - **Workplace:** On-site - **Salary:** $130K–$180K - **Clearance:** None required - **Eligibility:** US person or protected individual - **Export control:** ITAR/EAR controlled - **Visa:** Not specified - **Discipline:** Engineering - **Seniority:** Mid - **Posted:** 2024-04-24 [Apply on Astranis](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/astranis/jobs/4017557006) [View on Outerspace Today](https://terminal.outerspacetoday.com /jobs/spacecraft-engineer-office-of-the-cto-astranis-4017557006) --- 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 $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA. Astranis is seeking a motivated and experienced Spacecraft Engineer to join our dedicated team. This critical role involves the full lifecycle development of advanced small form-factor Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites. The successful candidate will be a key driver for cross-system trade studies, own satellite budgets, work to develop mission CONOPs, coordinate unit & vehicle test planning & readiness, and ensure that the satellites meet all mission design criteria. **Role:** - Lead the definition, documentation, and maintenance of the complete GEO spacecraft system architecture, including high-power payload accommodations, propulsion systems for orbit raising and station-keeping, and high-throughput communication links. - Identify and rapidly solve cross-functional issues that arise at every stage of the satellite lifecycle. - Define and manage spacecraft internal and external interfaces (mechanical, electrical, thermal, data) to ensure seamless integration and compatibility across subsystems, especially between Bus and Payload systems. - Act as the technical owner and primary point of contact for critical system budgets, particularly Mass and Power Budgets. - Establish and maintain technical budget tracking tools and reports, providing accurate, up-to-date status and forecasts to project leadership and stakeholders. - Provide technical guidance and oversight to subsystem engineers, ensuring their designs are integrated correctly and meet system-level design criteria and budgets. - Support Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities and mission operations by leading the systems-level analysis and resolution of technical anomalies. **Requirements:** - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.) or a related technical discipline. - 3 to 10 years of experience in integrated system design, integration, and/or test. - Experience as a hands-on engineer or other technical domain expert. Note that both junior and senior engineers are sought for this role. - Track record of solving hard problems independently - Ability to lead outside of the traditional reporting chain. - Proven experience in managing complex technical budgets (e.g., mass, power) and enforcing design discipline. - Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, overcome obstacles with creative solutions, and clearly document/communicate tactical plans **Bonus:** - Experience working through a complete GEO spacecraft development lifecycle. - Familiarity with Smartsheet, Jira, and Confluence - Deep technical experience across multiple domains - Specific experience with GEO or high-power communication satellite systems. **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.Base Salary$130,000—$180,000 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 our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger. --- _Aggregated from the employer's public careers feed by Outerspace Today. Eligibility and pay fields are extracted for self-selection only; verify on the employer posting._