Spacecraft Mechanical Ground Support Equipment Engineer

San Francisco

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 $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Tooling Engineer - Ground Support Equipment (GSE) 

As a GSE design engineer at Astranis, you'll be responsible for designing, fabricating, and maintaining various ground support equipment, fixtures, and tooling for spacecraft assembly, test, lifting, and handling. You will not only manage the design and fabrication, but also act as a key stakeholder in defining and enabling the mechanical integration flow of our vehicles through our factory. You will play a vital role in scaling our production rate safely and efficiently. 

Role

  • Own the cradle-to-grave design, analysis, fabrication and commissioning of mechanical fixtures and tooling required for spacecraft assembly, integration, testing, lifting and handling.
  • Manage the configuration, documentation and lifecycle of all ground support equipment using PLM/PDM systems.
  • Define, trade, and develop concepts for tooling interfaces and operating procedures.
  • Collaborate with design engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production.
  • Collaborate with external vendors and contractors during the design, fabrication, testing and commissioning phases of large-scale tooling.
  • Perform mechanical analysis via hand calculations and FEA to ensure tooling meets stability, structural and safety requirements.
  • Produce quick-turn or prototype tooling to unblock late-breaking production roadblocks.
  • Develop operation, proof-testing, and preventative maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline
  • 2+ years professional experience in mechanical design, analysis and fabrication of hardware
  • Hands-on experience with handling, lifting, or integration of large, complex assemblies
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD and experienced in creating detailed drawing packages per ASME Y14.5
  • A passion for hardware development, thriving  in a fast-pace environment and hands-on design and development
  • Strong cross-functional communication and organizational skills, with a meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting high-level priorities

Bonus 

  • Familiarity with industry safety and structural design standards such as AISC-360, ACI-318, the Aluminum Design Manual (ADM), AWS-D1.1 & D1.2, NASA-STD-5005, ASME B30 (Rigging/Lifting), or OSHA regulations
  • Experience using FEA software (e.g. Ansys, Nastran, Femap) for static and dynamic structural loading
  • Experience with automation, pneumatics, hydraulics or basic controls
  • Strong sense of accountability, integrity, and team focus with extensive multitasking and organizational experience
  • Creative, passionate problem solver that thrives in fast-paced, autonomously-drive, and demanding design and integration campaigns
  • Experience designing ground support equipment for aerospace applications or applications of similar scale
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

$110,000 - $145,000 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 products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.

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