Senior Propulsion Engineer

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical leader to design, analyze, and document in-space propulsion systems
• Lead the design, building, and testing of advanced propulsion systems from clean sheet
• Define and execute qualification campaigns for propulsion components and systems
• Establish spacecraft operation and flight standards for long-duration missions (10+ years)
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure hardware meets flight requirements
• Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT) processes and troubleshoot propulsion issues through launch
• Mentor entry-level engineers and interns while supporting hiring initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a technical discipline (e.g., engineering, physics) or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of propulsion industry experience in a design, test, or manufacture related role
• Proficiency with 3D CAD, mechanical design, fabrication, and environmental qualification
• Experience with the full product development cycle in aerospace or a similar industry
• Hands-on experience working with fluid or gas feed systems
• Working knowledge of both electric and chemical propulsion systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with specific propulsion or fluid component design
• Proficiency with structural or fluid analysis tools (e.g., GFSSP, ANSYS, Fluent)
• Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 and other Range Safety documentation
• Experience using Python for scientific calculation and data processing
• Experience with low thrust monopropellant, green monopropellant, or electric propulsion systems
• Familiarity with satellite mission operations

Benefits

• Competitive base salary ($145,000 - $235,000 USD)
• Significant equity package via incentive stock options
• High-quality company-subsidized healthcare
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement planning
• Flexible PTO
• Free on-site catered meals

About the Company

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. We provide dedicated, secure networks to large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites currently on orbit and a growing backlog of commercial contracts, Astranis is a leader in satellite communications, designing and operating our hardware out of our headquarters in Northern California.