Senior Mechanical Engineer, Ground Systems
About The Position
The Team The Ground System Structures Team is a cross-functional group of engineers working to design and improve our ground support equipment. We develop the structures necessary to transport, erect, hold down, and release an orbital-class rocket. Our team touches all aspects of system design including concept development, detailed design, analysis, and drawings. The team is also responsible for the development of qualification test plans and supporting testing and launch operations. Our systems are modular and rapidly deployable, enabling global transport and fast assembly. By delivering flexible, reliable infrastructure, we help increase launch readiness and support Astra’s mission to enable more frequent and affordable space missions. The Opportunity Join Astra’s Ground Systems team to design and build 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. This role combines hands-on hardware design with process definition to deliver reliable, mobile ground support equipment.
Requirements
- 5+ years' experience in mechanical/structural design
- You are experienced with a variety of structural design processes including fabrication, and post weld heat treatment and machining
- You can analyze welded joints using hand-calcs and FEA per AWS or equivalent standard
- You are experienced with bolted joint design
- You are experienced with CAD and PLM software tools, particularly with large, shared assemblies
- You own projects from beginning to end, with little oversight
- You’re 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 Haves
- 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
Responsibilities
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
