---
title: 'Senior Systems Administrator at Astro Mechanica'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-administrator-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-kqr9w96bxrzk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Senior Systems Administrator at Astro Mechanica

- **Company:** Astro Mechanica
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $140k–$170k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-11-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Astro-Mechanica/b799b2e3-d29f-402e-8641-b5f0091ebe29

## Job description

## ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

## WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

## WHO YOU ARE:

You’re the engineer who keeps our systems secure, reliable and running smoothly behind the scenes. You design things properly the first time, automate anything you do twice, and document everything so others can follow. You’re at home in Microsoft 365, identity platforms, MDM, servers and networks, and you can move between Windows, macOS and Linux without missing a beat. You’ve worked in regulated environments, and you understand that CMMC, ITAR and EAR requirements have to be built into every system from the start. You’re also a strong collaborator: you work closely with the help desk, explain your decisions clearly, and enjoy helping engineers get what they need while keeping our environment compliant.

## WHAT YOU’LL DO:

- Administer and secure our Microsoft 365 GCC High tenant, including Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams and Entra ID
- Manage identity and access through Okta, including SSO, MFA, conditional access and user lifecycle automation
- Build and maintain device policies in Microsoft Intune and Jamf: configuration profiles, compliance, patching, encryption and app deployment
- Design, deploy and maintain our Ubiquiti and Cisco network infrastructure, including switching, wireless, firewalls and VPN
- Manage Windows, macOS and Linux servers and services, both on-premises and in AWS GovCloud or Azure Government
- Implement and monitor CMMC 2.0 controls, maintain the System Security Plan (SSP) and POA&M, and collect evidence for assessments
- Ensure systems that store or process controlled technical data meet ITAR and EAR requirements
- Own backups, disaster recovery, logging and monitoring, and work with our SIEM to investigate and respond to security events
- Automate routine work with PowerShell, Bash or Python
- Lead migrations and rollouts of new tools, from planning and testing through user communication
- Serve as the escalation point for the help desk, and mentor technicians on complex issues
- Write and maintain system documentation, runbooks, and configuration standards

## WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

- 5+ years of experience as a systems administrator or systems engineer
- Hands-on experience administering Microsoft 365 GCC and GCC High
- 3+ years administering Microsoft Intune and Jamf MDM platforms
- Strong Windows and macOS administration experience; Linux experience is a huge plus
- Experience with identity platforms such as Okta and Entra ID, including SSO and MFA
- Experience designing and managing Ubiquiti and Cisco networks
- Experience administering a CMMC 2.0 compliant environment
- Working knowledge of CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171 and ITAR/EAR compliance requirements
- Experience with AWS GovCloud or Azure Government is a strong plus
- Scripting and automation skills in PowerShell, Bash or Python
- Clear communication skills, and an enjoyment of working with others across the company
- 2+ years of experience working in a startup environment
- Ability to work full-time in office, Monday through Friday
- Must be a U.S. citizen

## PERKS & BENEFITS:

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
- Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role. Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

## About Astro Mechanica

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Astro Mechanica is building the world’s first turboelectric adaptive jet engine (Duality) that achieves high efficiency across both subsonic and supersonic speeds, aiming to democratize high-speed flight.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Venture-backed; latest round: Series A-II / Venture Round in September 2025)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Ian Brooke (CEO & Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Aerospace, aviation propulsion, defense systems
- **Target customers**: US government (military and defense applications), commercial aviation (long-term), cargo/logistics
- **Mission/purpose**: “Democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable” – developing rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility.

## Products & Services
- **Duality™ Propulsion System**: A proprietary dual-use turboelectric adaptive jet engine designed to be efficient at all speeds from subsonic to supersonic. Currently in development and expected to begin altitude testing in 2027 on a dedicated testbed aircraft.
- **Airframe & Flight Systems**: Vertically integrated design of airframes and flight control systems optimized for the Duality engine, with near-term focus on government contracts.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised – **$54.7 million** as of the latest venture round in September 2025 (LinkedIn data; earlier reports by CBInsights indicated $27.6 million, likely reflecting a prior round)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: United Airlines Ventures (lead investor in latest round), Andreessen Horowitz, Giant Step Capital, Y Combinator (seed)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew **228.6% year-over-year** to ~35 employees; **36 active job postings** as of mid-2025; rapid hiring across engineering, manufacturing, and leadership roles; moving toward engine flight test in 2027.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique engine architecture**: The turboelectric adaptive design allows a single engine to operate efficiently from subsonic to supersonic regimes, removing the need for afterburners or separate engines.
- **Vertical integration**: In-house engine, airframe, and flight systems development enables tight optimization and rapid iteration.
- **Flat engineering culture**: Described as “generalists with specialist depth” and a flat structure that accelerates decision-making and innovation.

## Strategic Focus
- **Near-term**: Engine altitude testing (scheduled for 2027) and securing US government contracts for high-speed systems.
- **Long-term**: Develop a full aircraft platform and operational model for economically viable supersonic commercial travel.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasis on engineering excellence, pragmatism, and moving fast. Flat hierarchy where “engineering speaks louder than hierarchy.”
- **Work policy**: Hybrid environment – most roles are based in San Francisco with a mix of in-office and remote collaboration. The majority of job listings specify “In-Office” at the HQ.
- **Notable perks**: Not explicitly listed, but the company offers equity (typical for startups) and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking aerospace technology from concept to flight.
- **Engineering focus**: Strong technical team with talent from SpaceX, Relativity Space, Boom Supersonic, Lockheed Martin, and Astra. Active hiring in propulsion, flight software, GNC, test engineering, and manufacturing.

## Sources
1. [astromecha.co](https://www.astromecha.co/)
2. [astromecha.co/careers](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astro-mechanica)
3. [linkedin.com/company/astro-mechanica](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astro-mechanica)
4. [cbinsights.com/company/astro-mechanica](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/astro-mechanica)
5. [builtin.com/company/astro-mechanica](https://builtin.com/company/astro-mechanica)

## Other roles at Astro Mechanica

- [Senior IT Help Desk Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-it-help-desk-technician-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-kdjwzde03z93) — San Francisco, CA
- [Principal Electrical Engineer, Ground Power Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-electrical-engineer-ground-power-systems-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-e61cjj9yy143) — San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-recruiter-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-c67779m82vbx) — San Francisco, CA
- [GNC Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/gnc-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-d287j5rpx6g8) — San Francisco, CA
- [Software Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-8b5att7qs11d) — San Francisco, CA
- [Airframe/Structures Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/airframe-structures-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-5y9ssnq8eyjd) — San Francisco, CA
- [Propulsion Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-qpe5mjxkz6bg) — San Francisco, CA
- [Electrical/Avionics Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-avionics-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-0ce0a7kkd9mn) — San Francisco, CA
- [Test Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/test-engineering-intern-astro-mechanica-east-bay-area-rqgnq6gp44rz) — East Bay Area
- [IT Help Desk Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/it-help-desk-manager-astro-mechanica-san-francisco-1sd98cqve10y) — San Francisco, CA