Sr Staff Software Engineer

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

The Team

The software team has always operated as a small, versatile team that punches above its weight. As we grow we want to maintain those cross-functional technical skillsets and embrace diversity in backgrounds because sometimes writing the best rocket company software in the world is like programming a synthesizer, and other times it is like sanding the rust off of an old cabinet.

The Opportunity

Did writing software to launch rockets not already convince you to sign up?

As a Sr. Staff Software Engineer, you will architect and build systems that automate every aspect of testing and launching rockets. You'll design the tools to collect and analyze high-speed, high-precision telemetry data, lead technical initiatives across the organization, and invent the technologies that power the next generation of the space industry.

This is a high-impact role where you'll shape technical direction, mentor engineers, and solve problems that don't have existing solutions.

AI-Forward Engineering Culture

We are an AI-forward engineering organization. Are you already to use AI tools to write code, architect systems, and solve complex problems in your daily work? Our engineers:

• Use AI as a force multiplier in their daily work

• Design systems assuming AI-assisted development and operations

• Value engineers who experiment, adapt quickly, and adopt better tools

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Architect: Design and lead the development of systems that automate rocket testing, manufacturing, and launch operations across the organization.

• Innovate: Invent new approaches to high-speed data collection, real-time telemetry analysis, and control systems for critical operations.

• Lead: Drive technical direction, mentor engineers, and establish best practices for building mission-critical software.

• Integrate: Work across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to understand end-to-end workflows and build cohesive solutions.

• Scale: Build cloud-native infrastructure and services with high availability and high reliability that enable fast iteration.

• Collaborate: Partner with teams of diverse backgrounds and skill sets, bringing empathy and technical depth to every interaction. 

Why We Value You

• 12+ years extensive experience building production software systems, with deep expertise in both legacy and modern technologies

• Expert-level proficiency in Python and TypeScript, with experience working across C/C++, Go, and other languages

• Proven track record of architecting and delivering cloud-native systems with high availability and reliability

• Deep experience with system design, data pipelines, real-time telemetry systems, and time-series databases

• Strong understanding of API design patterns and frameworks (REST, gRPC, JSON, YAML, Protobuf)

• Experience leading technical initiatives, mentoring engineers, and driving architectural decisions

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, reactive environment where software touches every facet of the organization

• Passion for tackling hard, novel problems and inventing new solutions

• Exceptional attention to detail and sense of urgency—you understand we work with high voltage, explosives, and cryogenic materials

• Strong collaboration and communication skills with empathy for diverse teams and stakeholders

What Sets You Apart

• You architect systems that are simple, reliable, and scale effortlessly

• You invent solutions to problems that don't have existing answers

• You mentor engineers and elevate the technical capability of the team

• You make complex technical decisions clear and accessible to diverse stakeholders

• You move fast while maintaining exceptional quality in mission-critical systems

• You have strong opinions about software architecture—and can back them up with experience

Desired Multipliers

• Experience in aerospace, robotics, or hardware-software integration systems

• Contributions to open source projects or technical leadership in the broader community

• Background in control systems, packet tracing, or embedded systems

• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and modern cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)

• Track record of scaling teams or technical practices

What Success Looks Like

• Systems are architected for reliability, scalability, and maintainability

• Engineers across the organization are unblocked and moving faster

• Technical decisions are well-documented and widely understood

• Critical systems operate flawlessly under extreme conditions

• The team is growing in capability and delivering increasing impact

The pay range for this role is: $179,140-240,000 per year

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.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

ITAR Requirements: This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.