Full-Time

Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer

Astranis

Astranis

501-1,000 employees

GEO satellites delivering bandwidth-as-a-service

Compensation Overview

$145k - $185k/yr

+ Equity

San Francisco, CA, USA

In Person

Must be onsite 5 days a week.

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
CAD
Propulsion
Assembly
Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science degree in a technical discipline (e.g. engineering, physics)
  • 5+ years of industry experience in propulsion, space vehicles, or high-precision welding
  • Highly Proficient in Computer Aided Design (CAD), and proven experience delivering products that you've personally designed and built
  • A passion for manufacturing, including working in a fast-paced environment and doing hands-on design/ development
  • Demonstrated ability of personally managing advanced manufacturing products
  • Must be onsite 5 days a week
  • U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
Responsibilities
  • Manage the production of a propulsion subsystem, including an advanced welded assembly, for use in a high-orbit satellite application
  • Design and build, or source, all tooling and equipment necessary to build propulsion components and assemble advanced propulsion subsystems
  • Build the factory that builds satellites - manage complex infrastructure targets to upgrade and maintain our capabilities
  • Develop manufacturing processes that meet rigorous internal and external standards
  • Work closely with other teams to deliver your subsystem on time and at our expected quality
  • Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly growing team
Desired Qualifications
  • Direct experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Weld Engineering, or Integration Engineering roles
  • Direct experience with Robotic Welding, Automated Welding, or Orbital Tube Welding equipment
  • Specific experience manufacturing, testing, or designing precision welded assemblies, electric propulsion systems, or chemical space propulsion systems
  • Deep knowledge in Machining, Welding, or Fixture/ Tool & Die design
  • Experience with Manufacturing Engineering Software (MES) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Familiarity with reading and interpreting industry standards and specifications (AWS D17.1, MIL-STDs, AS/NAS component specifications)
  • Familiarity with Pressurized Systems operation and construction
  • Familiarity with Reliability and Mission Assurance best practices

Astranis builds and operates small, low-cost satellites in geostationary orbit to provide bandwidth-as-a-service for global connectivity. Its satellites carry telecom payloads that deliver internet capacity to customers, including commercial entities and government agencies, via turnkey services that simplify procurement and reduce costs. Customers buy bandwidth and use Astranis’ satellite capacity to reach previously unserved regions, rather than building and managing their own satellites. The company differentiates itself by owning the design, manufacturing, and operation of its GEO satellites, enabling cost-efficient, turnkey connectivity solutions for markets that traditional providers overlook. The goal is to close the digital divide by bringing affordable internet access to billions of people worldwide and to build a large, sustainable market for satellite-based connectivity.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Series E

Total Funding

$1.2B

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2015

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $450M funding expands MicroGEO production for 100 satellites by 2030.
  • Chunghwa Telecom partners for Taiwan's first dedicated MicroGEO satellite.
  • USSF and NASA contracts secure high-margin government revenue streams.

What critics are saying

  • Block 3 satellites delay to 2025 erodes first-mover edge versus Starlink.
  • Starlink Starshield achieves price parity by 2027, squeezing defense margins.
  • $1B backlog relies on few customers; Thaicom loss triggers 20% revenue drop.

What makes Astranis unique

  • MicroGEO satellites deliver 8.5 Gbit/s throughput, exceeding 7.5 Gbit/s specs.
  • Vanguard enables air-gapped point-to-point comms via MicroGEO for defense.
  • Omega satellites provide 50 Gbps at 600 kg mass from 2026 launches.

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Benefits

An equity stake in the company.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Unlimited vacation days.

Healthy, delicious, free lunch catered in every day.

Complementary OneMedical membership.

Great office chairs, stand-up desks, and a machine shop.

Reimbursement to spend on commuting from outside SF

Generous, fully-paid parental leave.

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

1%
Future Digital Solutions
Apr 19th, 2025
Chunghwa and Astranis Collaborate on Developing Taiwan-Centric Satellite Solutions

Chunghwa Telecom has entered a partnership with Astranis to create a geostationary satellite specifically designed for Taiwan.

Central News Agency (CNA)
Apr 15th, 2025
Chunghwa Telecom to launch Taiwan's 1st dedicated satellite with Astranis

Taipei, April 15 (CNA) Taiwan-based telecom service provider Chunghwa Telecom Co. recently signed a strategic agreement with Astranis Space Technologies Corp., an American satellite start-up, to develop the first dedicated compact geostationary orbit (MicroGEO) satellite for Taiwan.

Castle Placement
Dec 3rd, 2024
Communications and Networking Telecom Capital Raises in the U.S. - November 16th-30th, 2024

Astranis, operator of a satellite internet company intended to bridge the digital divide, raised an additional $50 million of Series D venture funding from NTT Docomo Ventures, and other investors.

EIN News
Nov 6th, 2024
Orbits Satellite Corporation and Brightside International Corporation Sign a US$7B Agreement

As part of this ambitious effort, Orbits first partnered with Astranis, the world's leading operator of dedicated communications satellites, to construct its latest satellite.

GPS World
Nov 6th, 2024
Astranis to develop resilient GPS satellites for USSF

Astranis to develop resilient GPS satellites for USSF.