Vehicle Structures Engineer

About the Role Join Astra's Vehicle Structures Team to design, analyze, test, and integrate the vehicle structures for Rocket 4, with ownership from concept to production and cross-disciplinary collaboration to meet orbital performance. This on-site role based in San Francisco, CA, offers hands-on development and the opportunity to influence every stage of system design. What You'll Do

• Design & Analysis: Own components/sub-assemblies of the vehicle to create design solutions from initial concept to detailed solid models and released drawing packages including documentation of assembly.
• Analyze components using FEA, CFD and hand calculations to inform mechanical, thermal, and pneumatic designs.
• Perform tolerance analyses to validate design robustness.
• 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.
• Help define requirements and contribute to system-level engineering efforts.
• Development & Testing: Lead hardware development through prototyping, environmental testing, and hot-fire campaigns.
• Drive root cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Systems Integration: Collaborate with propulsion, test, and structures teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Deliver complete engineering documentation to support manufacturing and test operations. What We're Looking For
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience across aerospace, automotive, defense, or similar high-reliability fields
• Proven track record in owning hardware from concept through test and production
• Proficient in CAD (NX, SolidWorks, etc.) and generating detailed drawings with GD&T
• Strong FEA fundamentals and experience in structural and thermal simulation
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, brazing, and heat treating
• Hands-on builder who’s comfortable wrenching, debugging, and working closely with technicians
• Humble, team-first mindset - you're comfortable with self-direction, but also take feedback well and step up wherever the team needs help
• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline Nice to Have
• Experience designing and qualifying high-pressure (6000+ psi) or cryogenic fluid systems (LOX, RP-1, etc.)
• Background in complex mechanical mechanisms (e.g., Safe & Arm Devices, Arm/Fire Devices, actuators)
• Ownership of complete Tech Data Packages, compliance plans, and program reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR)
• Familiarity with ASME, NASA, or MIL standards and how to apply them in hardware design
• Startup or early-stage company experience, thriving in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead failure investigations and implement corrective actions
• Track record of mentoring engineers and leading multi-disciplinary efforts Compensation & Benefits
• Salary: USD 140,000 - 180,000 per year
• Equity available as part of the package
• Benefits: health, vision, dental, and 401K; lunch provided and snacks throughout the day
• Disability accommodation: We provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities during the application or interview process
• ITAR/EAR compliance considerations apply; certain roles contingent upon U.S. Person status or ability to obtain necessary trade licenses