---
title: 'Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer at Astranis'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-propulsion-manufacturing-engineer-astranis-san-francisco-pfhyf8v7z7tg'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer at Astranis

- **Company:** Astranis
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $145k–$185k
- **Posted:** 2025-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/astranis/jobs/4362128006

## Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer

As a Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer, you will oversee the production of the propulsion subsystem for high-orbit satellites. You will be responsible for the production of advanced propulsion components, getting them assembled into a subsystem, and integrating that subsystem onto the vehicle. This is a highly cross-functional role that will require you to meet stakeholder and industry requirements while hitting aggressive cost and schedule requirements. Successful candidates will have a proven history of delivering on complex engineering projects with minimal oversight.

## Role

- Manage the production of a propulsion subsystem, including an advanced welded assembly, for use in a high-orbit satellite application
- Design and build, or source, all tooling and equipment necessary to build propulsion components and assemble advanced propulsion subsystems
- Build the factory that builds satellites - manage complex infrastructure targets to upgrade and maintain our capabilities
- Develop manufacturing processes that meet rigorous internal and external standards
- Work closely with other teams to deliver your subsystem on time and at our expected quality
- Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly growing team

## Requirements

- Bachelor of Science degree in a technical discipline (e.g. engineering, physics)
- 5+ years of industry experience in propulsion, space vehicles, or high-precision welding
- Highly Proficient in Computer Aided Design (CAD), and proven experience delivering products that you've personally designed and built
- A passion for manufacturing, including working in a fast-paced environment and doing hands-on design/ development
- Demonstrated ability of personally managing advanced manufacturing products
- Must be onsite 5 days a week

Bonus

- Direct experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Weld Engineering, or Integration Engineering roles
- Direct experience with Robotic Welding, Automated Welding, or Orbital Tube Welding equipment
- Specific experience manufacturing, testing, or designing precision welded assemblies, electric propulsion systems, or chemical space propulsion systems
- Deep knowledge in Machining, Welding, or Fixture/ Tool & Die design
- Experience with Manufacturing Engineering Software (MES) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
- Familiarity with reading and interpreting industry standards and specifications (AWS D17.1, MIL-STDs, AS/NAS component specifications)
- Familiarity with Pressurized Systems operation and construction
- Familiarity with Reliability and Mission Assurance best practices

What we offer:

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary $145,000—$185,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.

SMS Terms of Service

1. When you opt in to receive SMS messages from Astranis Space Technologies Corp., we may send you messages related to your job application, including updates, interview coordination, and other recruiting communications.
2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time by replying with any of the following industry standard keywords:

## a. STOP

## b. STOPALL

## c. OPTOUT

## d. CANCEL

e. END

## f. QUIT

## g. UNSUBSCRIBE

## h. REVOKE

1. After you opt out, we may send one final text message confirming that you have been unsubscribed. No further recruiting SMS messages will be sent unless you opt in again.
2. To opt back in, reply with any of the following industry standard keywords:

## a. START

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c. YES

1. For help, reply HELP or contact us at EMAIL or PHONE NUMBER.
2. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
3. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Contact your wireless provider for details.
4. For more information on how we handle your data, please review our Privacy Policy at: https://www.astranis.com/legal/privacy.

## About Astranis

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Astranis designs, builds, and operates small, radiation-hardened geostationary (GEO) satellites for dedicated broadband and government missions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series E, total funding >$1.2B)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: John Gedmark (CEO), Ryan McLinko (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space Research and Technology – geostationary communications satellites.
- **Target customers**: Telecommunications operators (B2B), U.S. Government (Space Force, NASA), allied nations.
- **Mission statement**: “Connect the world” and “extend humanity’s reach beyond Low Earth Orbit.”

## Products & Services
- **[MicroGEO]**: A small, radiation-hardened GEO satellite that delivers dedicated broadband (up to 8.5 Gbit/s per satellite). Used for commercial connectivity and government missions (communications, PNT, science).
- **[Government Programs]**: Prime contractor for Space Force’s Resilient GPS program; contracts with NASA and other defense partners for high-orbit spacecraft.
- **[Satellite Services]**: End‑to‑end design, manufacture, test, and operation of GEO satellites. Over $1 billion in satellite services sold across 10+ satellites on contract.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised >$1.2 billion (latest Series E of $450M added in 2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: BlackRock, Venrock, Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator (Winter 2016 cohort). Customers include Pacific Dataport (Alaska), Orbits Corp (Philippines), Thaicom (Thailand), Orbith (Argentina), Apco Networks (Mexico), and U.S. Space Force.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: 439 employees (+21.4% YoY) as of mid‑2025.
  - 5 satellites currently on orbit; 10+ under contract.
  - Goal to launch 100 satellites by 2030.
  - Selected to design next‑gen Resilient GPS satellites for Space Force.
  - Expanded into government science, PNT, and national security missions.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Only company building small, radiation‑hardened satellites for GEO** – traditional GEO satellites are behemoths costing hundreds of millions; Astranis’s compact design slashes cost and lead time.
- **In‑house manufacturing and testing** at Historic Pier 70 (San Francisco) – full vertical integration from machining to final test.
- **Radiation‑tolerant electronics** that survive the harsh GEO environment without expensive custom radiation‑hardened components.
- **Dedicated satellite networks** – each MicroGEO provides a private, resilient link, unlike shared LEO constellations.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale production to 100+ satellites by 2030, targeting both commercial broadband and major U.S. Government programs of record.
- Expand beyond communications into position, navigation, and timing (PNT), science, and national security missions.
- Strengthen “New Prime” role for defense space contracts.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Calling, not a career” – mission‑driven team working on the world’s most advanced high‑orbit satellites.
- **Work model**: Fully in‑person, 5 days per week at a historic factory/shipyard turned spaceship factory.
- **Compensation**: Competitive pay, broad equity ownership, and comprehensive health/wealth/well‑being benefits.
- **Impact**: Directly connect millions of people to affordable internet and support U.S. national security from space.
- **Growth**: 131 active job openings across hardware, software, manufacturing, operations, and government programs (as of mid‑2025).

## Sources
1. [astranis.com](https://www.astranis.com/)
2. [astranis.com/careers](https://www.astranis.com/careers)
3. [LinkedIn – Astranis](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astranis)
4. [Wikipedia – Astranis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astranis)
5. [Greenhouse – Astranis Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/astranis)

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