Senior Mechanical Engineer

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Locations

Alameda, CA, USA

Experience Level

Entry

Junior

Mid

Senior

Expert

Desired Skills

CAD

Data Analysis

FEM/FEA

Autodesk CFD

Python

MATLAB

Requirements

You have 5 - 10 years of mechanical and/or propulsion design experience
You have a Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related)
You are an expert with CAD (NX), drawings, and GD&T
You are comfortable creating tools for both design and test data processing (ranging from excel spreadsheets for mechanical analyses to data processing scripts on MATLAB or Python)
You have experience designing parts and choosing the appropriate manufacturing method (including machining, welding, brazing, metal forming)
You have a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field)
You can leverage your understanding of engineering first principles to produce hand calculations supporting initial designs
You own projects from beginning to end, with minimal oversight
You're excited to work in a fast-paced, self-driven, iterative startup environment, and to build the systems that enable daily launches to space

Responsibilities

Own components/sub-assemblies of our upper stage system to create design solutions from initial concept to detailed solid models and released drawing packages including documentation of assembly
Analyze components using CFD, FEA and hand calculations to inform mechanical/pneumatic designs
Create development, qualification and acceptance testing plans for your system and support execution
Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team of system owners including electrical, mechanical, controls, and software engineers to support launch operations; conduct design reviews and implement feedback/obtain stakeholder buy-in and to verify and document cross-team requirements are satisfied
Challenge the existing assumptions and design choices, bring your own design experience and influences to our systems

Desired Qualifications

Experience in Aerospace design
Experience reviewing data and identifying root cause in failures and providing recommendations
High temperature and/or high pressure structural design
Thorough understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer and thermodynamics
Demonstrated expertise in FEA or CFD
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills

The Company

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Astra delivered its first commercial payload into Earth orbit in 2021, making it the fastest company in history to reach this milestone, just five years after being founded in 2016. By achieving monthly, weekly, then daily launches, we’ll create the infrastructure services our customers need in space to build a healthier and more connected planet. If you’re excited by a sense of possibility, the chance to innovate, and make a difference here on Earth, we think you should work here too.

The Team

The Stage Structures Team is a cross-functional group of technicians and engineers working to constantly improve our launch vehicle capability. We develop the components, sub-assemblies and complete stage integration to achieve orbital performance. Our team touches all aspects of system design including preliminary trade studies and system level definition as well as mission support and post-flight data reviews.

All forms of vehicle development, qualification and acceptance tests are conducted within our Alameda facility.

The Opportunity

Come join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians providing industry leading solutions for liquid propulsion orbital launch vehicle systems. As a Mechanical Engineer of this team, you will be responsible for the analysis, design, fabrication/procurement, assembly and test of all aspects of our system. This includes but is not limited to propellant tanks, fluid and electric quick-disconnect couplings, custom valves and regulators, stage structures and pneumatic systems. Emphasis on minimizing cost while also enabling short lead time production and assembly are key to success.

This position goes beyond our immediate team as you will also work closely with Supply Chain, Test and Launch Operations Teams. This role will report to the Manager of Upper Stage Structures.

How You’ll Fulfill Your Mission

Own components/sub-assemblies of our upper stage system to create design solutions from initial concept to detailed solid models and released drawing packages including documentation of assembly.
Analyze components using CFD, FEA and hand calculations to inform mechanical/pneumatic designs.
Create development, qualification and acceptance testing plans for your system and support execution.
Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team of system owners including electrical, mechanical, controls, and software engineers to support launch operations; conduct design reviews and implement feedback/obtain stakeholder buy-in and to verify and document cross-team requirements are satisfied.
Challenge the existing assumptions and design choices, bring your own design experience and influences to our systems.

Qualifications

You have 5 - 10 years of mechanical and/or propulsion design experience
You have a Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related)
You are an expert with CAD (NX), drawings, and GD&T
You are comfortable creating tools for both design and test data processing (ranging from excel spreadsheets for mechanical analyses to data processing scripts on MATLAB or Python)
You have experience designing parts and choosing the appropriate manufacturing method (including machining, welding, brazing, metal forming)
You have a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field)
You can leverage your understanding of engineering first principles to produce hand calculations supporting initial designs
You own projects from beginning to end, with minimal oversight
You’re excited to work in a fast-paced, self-driven, iterative startup environment, and to build the systems that enable daily launches to space

Desired Multipliers

Experience in Aerospace design
Experience reviewing data and identifying root cause in failures and providing recommendations
High temperature and/or high pressure structural design
Thorough understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer and thermodynamics
Demonstrated expertise in FEA or CFD

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

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 or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

201-500 employees

Website

Satellite delivery & rocket launch services

Company Overview

Astra’s mission is to Improve Life on Earth from Space® by creating a healthier and more connected plane. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services of any operational launch provider in the world, and one of the industry’s first flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, Astra Spacecraft Engine™.

Benefits

Competitive Medical (HMO & PPO)/Dental/Vision plans
Company paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability plans
401K with company match
Flexible Spending Account
Commuter benefits
Caregiving support benefits
Company perks, like PetPlan, curated gym/travel/products discounts
Free lunch
Company events