Automation & Controls Engineer

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.

Automation & Controls Engineer

In this role, you’ll design, implement, and optimize automated systems for various assets and equipment that support the manufacturing and test of our spacecraft. You'll work at the intersection of hardware and software, driving efficiency, scalability, and precision across critical production workflows. If you're passionate about control systems, industrial automation, and enabling missions that connect the world, we want to hear from you.

Role

• Design and develop custom automation solutions and software solutions across a range of new and existing production assets
• Commission, deploy infrastructure, and maintain automation tools on the production floor
• Create supervisory tools that aggregate sensor systems to monitor processes, ensure operator safety, and track factory status and performance
• Design user interfaces that make complex machines easy to control and troubleshoot
• Implement advanced control strategies (e.g. PID control) and develop programmable logic controller (PLC) systems to improve automation precision, repeatability, and responsiveness across production workflows
• Develop clear process and training documentation to support adoption and maintenance of automated solutions
• Generate electrical schematics and documentation to support system integration and troubleshooting

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline 
• 2-5 years of working experience in hardware software integration or software controls 
• Experience using Python, SQL, and relational databases
• Experience with control systems engineering, including PID tuning, PLC programming, and industrial automation for manufacturing or test environments
• Proven track record delivering turnkey solutions in a production environment
• Experience developing and executing test plans and test procedures from requirements
• Strong systems level troubleshooting and debugging
• Must be onsite 5 days a week

Bonus

• Hands-on experience using data acquisition systems
• Experience with space flight components and spacecraft environmental testing
• Experience with designing and building electrical harnesses and connectors
• Knowledge of UNIX and Linux operating systems
• Knowledge of serial and fieldbus protocols (RS232, RS485, ModBus, VISA)
• Knowledge of Ethernet protocols TCP/IP, UDP, DNS, HTTPS, VNET, EtherCat
• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCat3 IDE, Structured Text (IEC 61131-3), Infosys
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop systems

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

$130,000—$150,000 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 our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.