Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.
The Opportunity
As a Lead GNC Engineer , you will be the lead of the small team that develops the control, estimation, and guidance algorithms that fly our rockets. You’ll be deeply involved in all aspects of GNC, but will also work closely with all teams to ensure that the rocket is designed and tested to launch, fly, and deploy its payload to the target orbit.
How You'll Fulfill Your Mission
- Develop: create requirements, GNC algorithms, simulation models, and trajectories.
- Test: build out test automation across all environments, including Simulink simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, engine test cells, and with integrated vehicles.
- Partner: work with other teams to define critical interfaces, specify component/system requirements, and contribute to decisions that shape future vehicles.
- Fly: support launch from mission control and fulfill GNC responsibilities during the countdown.
- Analyze: use ground test and flight data to verify system performance and improve the fidelity of the simulation.
- Ownership: end-to-end responsibility for large aspects of the GNC system.
Why We Value You
- You have 8+ years of experience in aerospace vehicle GNC development and simulation.
- You are a systems-based thinker who strives to globally optimize.
- You bring expertise and a desire to lead a multidisciplinary team in prioritizing, planning, and execution.
- You hold yourself, team members, and coworkers to a high level of accountability.
- You have the ability to perform system-level integration and troubleshoot complex issues across subsystems.
- You have a grounded intuition based on prior experience with control systems on real vehicles.
- You have in-depth knowledge of sensor integration and data fusion techniques for navigation systems (e.g., IMUs, GPS, star trackers).
- You possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate ideas, give technical feedback, and mentor team members.
- You have an advanced degree (Ph.D. / Masters) in engineering, physics, mathematics or equivalent.
- You have experience with Simulink.
- You’re excited to work in a fast-paced, self-driven, iterative startup environment, and to build the systems that enable frequent access to space.
The pay range for this role is: $165,000 - $208,500 per year.
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area and excludes additional earnings such as bonus and benefits. If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.
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.
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.
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