Spacecraft Engineer - Office CTO

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 leading investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, 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.

• 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 systems‑level analysis and resolution of technical anomalies.

• 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; 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 and communicate tactical plans.

• 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.

All our positions include a compensation package that contains equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package through 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 experience, credentials and certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

$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.

As set forth in Astranis’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.