Mechanical Engineer - General Applications

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.

Mechanical Engineers at Astra design, analyze, build, and qualify hardware end-to-end — from clean-sheet concept through flight. Depending on your team and level, you may work on spacecraft propulsion components, launch vehicle structures, ground support equipment, fluid systems, or test infrastructure. Across all of these, the expectation is the same: be a hands-on contributor who takes accountability for the full lifecycle of what you build.

• Design, analyze, and qualify rocket components/hardware — including structural assemblies, fluid system components (manifolds, valves, tanks, tubing, quick-disconnects), mechanisms, and ground support equipment/structures.
• Generate 3D models, fully dimensioned drawings, and interface control documents per ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards using Siemens NX (or equivalent CAD)
• Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses using FEA tools (NASTRAN/NX Simcenter, Ansys) and hand calculations to validate design robustness
• Support prototype builds, qualification campaigns, and acceptance testing; work directly with technicians to debug and iterate hardware
• Develop and execute test plans for component- and system-level qualification; interpret results and drive design changes
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders through design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR), and maintain complete engineering documentation (Tech Data Packages, compliance plans, FMEAs)
• Identify and apply the right manufacturing process - machining, welding, brazing, forming, heat treating - for each design
• Contribute to continuous improvement of team processes, tooling, and analytical capabilities

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Siemens NX strongly preferred; SolidWorks or CATIA considered)
• Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with common structural and fluid components and instrumentation
• Strong communication skills - written and verbal - and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team
• Comfortable getting hands dirty: working directly with hardware, running tests, and troubleshooting on the floor
• Levels & Expectations

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (or equivalent internship/project experience)
• Foundational proficiency in CAD and GD&T; coursework or project experience in FEA, fluid mechanics, and structural analysis
• Hands-on experience through internships, capstone projects, lab work, or personal hardware builds
• Eager to learn, strong attention to detail, and comfortable asking questions and taking direction
• Works under the guidance of senior engineers; begins to own discrete sub-components or test tasks

• All of the above, plus demonstrated professional experience taking hardware from design to test
• Can own a component or subsystem with limited supervision
• Beginning to develop proficiency in analysis tools (FEA, CFD, or thermal simulation)
• Proactively identifies technical risks and surfaces them early

• Deep expertise in at least one domain (fluid systems, structures, mechanisms, thermal, test)
• Proven track record of owning hardware from concept through production and/or flight
• Expert-level CAD and drawing generation; strong FEA fundamentals
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and DFM/DFA practices
• Leads design reviews, provides technical guidance to junior engineers, and manages cross-team interfaces
• Experience with high-pressure (6,000+ psi), cryogenic, or flight-critical systems is a strong plus

• Recognized technical leader; sets direction for complex, multi-disciplinary programs
• Owns system-level architecture and leads hardware from concept through operational deployment
• Drives design-for-manufacturability and scalability from prototype to production
• Mentors a team of engineers and shapes team standards, processes, and analytical tools
• Influences technical and strategic decisions at the program level; communicates effectively with leadership and customers
• Experience managing schedule, cost, and deliverables for a module or product line

• Experience with structural FEA (NASTRAN) and/or thermal/CFD tools (Thermal Desktop, Star-CCM+)
• Background in high-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems (LOX, RP-1, or similar propellants)
• Experience with PLM tools (Teamcenter or similar)
• Familiarity with ASME, NASA, MIL-STD, or ECSS standards and how to apply them
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability hardware environments