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 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.
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.
- 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
- This role requires regular, consistent evening and overnight shifts, as well as weekend work to support 24/7 spacecraft operations
- 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
- 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
The team operates on 3x8 hour shifts a day:
- Morning: 0700 - 1500
- Swing: 1500 - 2300
- Night: 2300 - 0700
and rotates between shifts every 2-3 months. Off-console work is not on a shift schedule.
Off-Console Work
OFF
On-Console Shift
On-Console Shift
OFF
- Where is this Satellite Operator role based?
- The role is based in San Francisco.
- What experience does Astranis expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a mid-level role, typically 3+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Astranis headquartered?
- Astranis is headquartered in San Francisco, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Astranis's Greenhouse careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.