Astranis Jobs in 2026
Astranis Space Technologies is building the largest fleet of geostationary broadband satellites in the world. Unlike traditional telecom satellite companies that spend hundreds of millions on a single massive spacecraft, Astranis manufactures small, software-defined MicroGEO satellites that each weigh about 400 kilograms and can connect over two million people. The company has been hiring aggressively and now employs approximately 445 people across three continents. This guide covers open roles, salary data, company culture, and what it takes to land a job at Astranis in 2026.
What Astranis does
Astranis designs, builds, and operates geostationary communication satellites from its headquarters in San Francisco. Each MicroGEO satellite provides dedicated broadband capacity for a specific customer, whether that is a telecom operator, a government, or an enterprise. As of early 2026, Astranis has five MicroGEO satellites operating in orbit simultaneously, with customers in the Philippines, Mexico, and the United States.
In December 2024, the company launched four MicroGEO satellites on a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9, marking a major milestone. The next-generation Omega satellite is currently under development and is expected to produce over 50 Gbps of bandwidth across civilian and military Ka-band frequencies—five times the power output of the first-generation satellites. The first Omega vehicle is being built in 2026.
Funding and financial backing
Astranis has raised $753 million across 12 funding rounds. The most recent was a $200 million Series D in July 2024, led by Andreessen Horowitz and BAM Elevate. Previous investors include BlackRock, Venrock, and Andreessen Horowitz. This level of funding provides a strong financial runway for the Omega program and continued fleet expansion.
Open roles and departments
As of early 2026, Astranis lists approximately 120 to 130 open positions across several departments. Here is a breakdown of the major hiring areas:
Engineering
The largest department by headcount. Astranis hires across the full spectrum of spacecraft engineering:
- RF / Payload Engineering: Design and test the software-defined radio payload that is the core product of every MicroGEO satellite
- Thermal Engineering: Manage heat dissipation for high-power electronics in the GEO thermal environment
- Structural / Mechanical Engineering: Design satellite bus structures, deployment mechanisms, and integration hardware
- Electrical / Power Engineering: Battery, solar array, and power distribution system design
- Avionics / Embedded Software: Flight software, FPGA design, and onboard computing systems
- Spectrum Engineering: Coordination with regulatory bodies and spectrum management across markets
- Systems Engineering: End-to-end satellite system design, requirements management, and integration
Operations
- Satellite Operations: Monitor and command satellites in orbit, manage orbital maneuvers, and maintain fleet health
- Ground Station Engineering: Design and maintain the Earth station infrastructure that communicates with the MicroGEO fleet
- Network Planning: Optimize capacity allocation and coverage for customer networks
Business and commercial
- Sales / Business Development: Expand customer base across telecom operators, government agencies, and enterprise clients
- Program Management: Manage delivery timelines and customer relationships
- Finance and Strategy: Financial planning, investor relations, and corporate strategy
Manufacturing and test
- Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT): Build and test satellites at the San Francisco production facility
- Manufacturing Engineering: Develop and improve production processes for higher-rate satellite manufacturing
- Quality Engineering: Ensure compliance with space-grade quality standards
| Department | Typical Roles | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| RF / Payload Engineering | RF Engineer, Payload Systems Engineer | $130,000 – $200,000 |
| Mechanical / Structural | Mechanical Engineer, Structural Analyst | $110,000 – $180,000 |
| Software / Avionics | Embedded SW Engineer, Avionics Engineer | $130,000 – $210,000 |
| Satellite Operations | Satellite Operator, GNC Engineer | $100,000 – $160,000 |
| Business Development | Sales Engineer, Network Planning | $120,000 – $190,000 |
| Manufacturing / AIT | Test Engineer, Technician | $80,000 – $140,000 |
Salary and compensation
The average salary at Astranis is approximately $160,000 based on reported employee data. Compensation varies significantly by role:
- Interns: Approximately $60,000 annualized ($29/hour)
- Associate / entry-level: $100,000 to $130,000
- Mid-level engineers: $130,000 to $175,000
- Senior engineers and leads: $160,000 to $210,000
- Principal / staff engineers: $190,000 to $240,000+
As a late-stage startup, Astranis also offers equity compensation in the form of stock options. Given the $753 million in funding raised and the company's trajectory toward an eventual IPO or public listing, equity can represent meaningful additional value.
Company culture and work environment
Astranis operates from its headquarters in San Francisco's Mission District, where satellites are designed, built, and tested under one roof. The company culture reflects its startup roots:
- Fast-paced development cycles: Satellites are designed and manufactured on timelines measured in months, not the multi-year programs typical at larger satellite companies
- Hands-on engineering: Engineers regularly interact with flight hardware, from design through integration and testing
- Small team ownership: Individual engineers take responsibility for entire subsystems, giving each person significant technical ownership
- Hardware-first mentality: Unlike software startups, Astranis builds physical products that go to space, which shapes the culture around precision, testing, and attention to detail
The San Francisco location places Astranis in one of the most expensive cities in the United States, which the company offsets with competitive salaries that reflect Bay Area cost of living.
How to get hired at Astranis
- Apply through the careers page. Astranis lists all open positions at astranis.com/careers. Applications are reviewed by engineering hiring managers, not just recruiters.
- Demonstrate hands-on experience. Astranis values candidates who have built and tested hardware. University satellite projects (CubeSats), internships at other space companies, and hands-on lab experience are strong differentiators.
- Prepare for technical depth. Interview loops include technical assessments specific to your discipline. RF candidates solve antenna and link budget problems. Mechanical candidates work through structural analysis scenarios.
- Highlight speed and adaptability. As a startup building satellites on tight timelines, Astranis looks for engineers who can make decisions with incomplete information and iterate quickly.
Browse Astranis positions on our job board or explore other satellite industry jobs.
Astranis vs. other satellite employers
| Factor | Astranis | SpaceX (Starlink) | SES / Intelsat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbit | GEO (geostationary) | LEO (low Earth orbit) | GEO / MEO |
| Satellite size | ~400 kg (MicroGEO) | ~260 kg (v2 Mini) | 3,000-6,000 kg |
| Avg. engineering salary | $160,000 | $140,000-$195,000 | $120,000-$170,000 |
| Work-life balance | Startup hours (variable) | Demanding | Traditional |
| Equity upside | Pre-IPO options | Private stock | Public stock |
| Location | San Francisco | Hawthorne, CA / Redmond, WA | Various (DC, Luxembourg) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Astranis a good company to work for?
Astranis receives generally positive reviews from employees who value fast-paced, hands-on engineering work. The company offers competitive compensation, meaningful equity, and the opportunity to work on hardware that goes to orbit. Like most startups, work hours can be demanding, particularly around launch campaigns.
Where is Astranis located?
Astranis is headquartered in San Francisco, California, where the majority of engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams are based. The company operates satellites from San Francisco and has ground station infrastructure across its customer markets.
How much does Astranis pay engineers?
Engineering salaries at Astranis range from $100,000 for entry-level roles to over $200,000 for senior and principal engineers, with an average around $160,000. Compensation also includes stock options that could have significant value given the company's growth trajectory.
Does Astranis offer internships?
Yes. Astranis offers internships for engineering students, with pay around $60,000 annualized. Interns work on real satellite hardware and software, not side projects. Internships are typically 12 to 16 weeks during the summer.
What is Astranis's next-generation satellite?
The Omega satellite is Astranis's next-generation spacecraft, currently being built in 2026. It will produce over 50 Gbps of bandwidth—five times the capacity of the first-generation MicroGEO—across both civilian and military Ka-band frequencies. Learn more about Astranis's branding and product line in our Astranis company overview.
