Astra

Staff Mechanical Engineer, Ground Systems

Alameda, California, United States

$139-175k

Full Time

2 hours ago

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Job description

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 research and 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 deployable ground system can be built and commissioned in Alameda, CA, then deployed anywhere in the world and assembled in a matter of days. Astra's ground system equipment is specifically designed to enable a high launch cadence, allowing Astra to lead the way to daily access to space for the first time in human history.

The Opportunity

Join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians providing industry-leading solutions for liquid propulsion launch vehicles. As an engineer on this team, you will provide the specification, analysis, design, fabrication/procurement, assembly, and test of structural and mechanical systems. This includes but is not limited to structural assemblies required to safely transport the launch vehicle from facilities in Alameda, CA to global spaceports, the ground structure used to support and erect the vehicle, aspects of pad safety/fire suppression, and vehicle propellant handling functions. Emphasis on reliability, enabling rapid deployment schedules, efficiency in-field operations, and ease of maintenance are keys to success.

This position goes beyond our immediate team as you will also work closely with the First Stage, Upper Stage, Avionics, and Launch Operations Teams. This role will report to the Sr. Manager of Ground Systems.

Why We Value You:

5+ years' experience in mechanical/structural design
You are experienced with the design of weldments, and large 5+ ton structures
You are experienced with a variety of additional weldment processes including fabrication, and post weld heat treatment and machining
Use can analyze welded joints using hand-calcs and FEA per AWS or equivalent standard
You have experience with creating weldment drawings per AWS standards
You are experienced with bolted joint design
You are experienced with heavy machinery, including static and articulating mechanical joints and pivots, including the design of lugs, pins, clevis' in high-stress and corrosive environments
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
You're an effective communicator who is comfortable leading meetings and giving input
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) required

Desired Multipliers:

8+ years' experience in mechanical/structural design
Master's degree in mechanical or structural engineering (or related field)
Experience with release mechanisms, and hydraulic actuation
Expertise with Siemens NX CAD software
Expertise in NX Nastran FEA software
Experience with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, FMEA, to identify and mitigate potential system problems and failure points
Experience with fluid systems, converting piping and instrumentation diagrams into operational systems
Experience reviewing data, resolving issues with hardware, and root cause analysis
Willing to occasionally travel to various production, test, and launch locations.

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.