Satellite Operator

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 top investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, 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.

About the role

As our Mission Operator, you will work closely with mission operations engineers, hardware engineers, and software engineers writing and executing standard operating procedures used to safely and reliably fly spacecraft on orbit. Our ideal candidate is highly motivated and open to learning how satellites are built, tested, and operated—no direct satellite operation experience is required, though relatable experience is desired.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers to create, test, and execute satellite operations procedures, including launch, early operations, orbit raising, and nominal sustainment operations procedures
• Monitor system health and report anomalies, working with the engineering team to safely resolve them
• Participate in training exercises, helping to enhance our training regimen for new satellite operators

Requirements

• 2+ years of professional work experience
• Process-oriented mindset with emphasis on excellence and repeatable execution
• Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties without supervision
• A passion for working in a fast-paced, collaborative, high-stakes environment

Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

Skills

• Basic understanding of satellite subsystems (hardware and software)
• Basic understanding of satellite ground systems, antennas, & RF
• Familiarity with testing and troubleshooting complex systems
• Familiarity with software development tools such as Git
• Experience operating complex systems
• Familiarity with GEO satellites

Schedule

This role requires regular, consistent evening and overnight shifts, as well as weekend work to support 24/7 spacecraft operations.

The team operates on 3x8 hour shifts a day:

• Morning: 0700 - 1500
• Swing: 1500 - 2300
• Night: 2300 - 0700

Shifts rotate every 2-3 months. Off-console work is not on a shift schedule.

Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Off-Console Work OFF On-Console Shift Week 2 OFF On-Console Shift

Benefits

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits. Your compensation also includes:

• Significant equity package via incentive stock options
• High-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement planning
• Flexible PTO
• Free on-site catered meals

Pay

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 Hourly Pay: $44—$49 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)).