Senior Fluid Systems Engineer, Electric Propulsion

Join to apply for the Senior Fluid Systems Engineer, Electric Propulsion role at Astra

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Join to apply for the Senior Fluid Systems Engineer, Electric Propulsion role at Astra

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 Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Fluid Systems Engineer to lead the design, integration, and sustainment of fluid systems for next-generation electric propulsion technologies. This role will be the technical owner of systems that handle high-pressure and supercritical propellants, including precision flow control hardware such as valves, restrictors, pressure vessels, and manifolds. The engineer will be responsible for ensuring performance, reliability, and flight readiness of critical subsystems used in spacecraft propulsion.

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• System Ownership:
  Act as the primary technical authority for fluid systems supporting electric propulsion thrusters, from concept through flight operations.
• Propellant Management:
  Design and develop high-pressure distribution and regulation systems for noble gases and supercritical propellants, ensuring stable and precise delivery to thruster systems.
• Component Selection &
  
  Qualification:
  
  Specify, evaluate, and qualify solenoid valves, seals, regulators, tubing, and assemblies thereof for compatibility with mission requirements, extreme environments, and long-duration spaceflight.
• Modeling & Analysis:
  Perform system-level flow, thermal, and structural modeling to predict performance across operational scenarios.
• Testing & Verification:
  Develop and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns including proof, leak check, flow characterization, dynamics, and TVAC tests.
• Reliability & Safety:
  Lead root-cause investigations, implement FMEA and fault-tree analyses, and establish robust reliability margins for mission assurance.
• Cross-functional Integration:
  Collaborate with thruster design, avionics, module design, and hardware integration teams to ensure seamless system performance.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  Generate system specifications, test plans, test reports, and technical documentation in accordance with aerospace standards and customer requirements.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in spacecraft or aerospace fluid systems engineering, including propulsion feed systems.
• Deep expertise in handling noble gases and supercritical fluids for propulsion applications.
• Proven knowledge of solenoid valves, regulators, and sealing technologies for spaceflight hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD (NX preferred) and system modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, ANSYS, or equivalent).
• Experience developing and executing test campaigns for flight hardware.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality and certification standards (NASA, SMC, MIL-STD, ECSS, or equivalent).
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to drive system-level decision making.

• Direct experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall-effect thrusters, ion thrusters, or other advanced EP architectures).
• Hands-on experience with hardware integration and ground support equipment.
• Background in cryogenic fluid systems, high-pressure vessels, or plasma propulsion environments.
• Experience with AFSPCMAN 91-710 range safety requirements for pressurized systems.