About this role
About the Role Astra’s Ground Systems team designs and builds the systems that support rocket testing and launch operations. You’ll focus on mechanical and fluid systems—from propellant loading and environmental control to fire suppression and pad safety—and combine hands-on hardware design with process definition to deliver reliable, mobile ground support equipment. What You'll Do
- Design mechanical and fluid systems using CAD (NX preferred)
- Create and maintain P&IDs and operational flow diagrams
- Define procedures for startup, shutdown, and emergency operations
- Perform structural analysis for sizing and validation
- Support system build, integration, and field testing
- Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and operations teams
- Improve system performance and maintainability over time What We're Looking For
- 5+ years' experience in mechanical/structural design
- Experience with fabrication, post weld heat treatment and machining
- Ability to analyze welded joints using hand-calcs and FEA per AWS or equivalent standard
- Experience with bolted joint design
- Experience with CAD and PLM software tools, particularly with large, shared assemblies
- Owns projects from beginning to end, with little oversight
- Excited to work in a fast-paced, self-driven, iterative startup environment, and to build the systems that enable daily launches to space Nice to Have
- Cryogenic or high-pressure system design
- Familiarity with ASME B31.3, AWS D10.18, or similar codes
- Experience operating or supporting field-deployed systems
- Knowledge of aerospace or launch safety standards
- Experience in aerospace or space startup environments preferred
- Experience with release mechanisms and actuators Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $140,000 - $180,000 per year (SF Bay Area; excludes bonus and benefits)