Be ready to go over:

• Communication Protocols – Deep understanding of low-level protocols like I2C, SPI, or UART.
• Circuit Behavior – Basic knowledge of how capacitors filter voltage ripples or how operational amplifiers function.
• Physical Constraints – Applying first principles to solve problems, such as estimating the temperature of a solar panel or understanding signal degradation.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Radiation effects on memory, structural bending moments, or thermal dissipation in a vacuum.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through the I2C circuit behavior when communicating with a temperature sensor."
• "How would you calculate the expected temperature of a solar panel on a satellite in low earth orbit?"
• "What outputs can you expect at a specific test point in this operational amplifier circuit?"

Project Deep Dive and Technical Communication

We care deeply about what you have built in the past. Interviewers will often ask you to discuss your most impressive project in granular detail. Strong performance in this area requires articulating the business or technical problem, explaining your specific contributions, and defending the architectural trade-offs you made.

Be ready to go over:

• Architectural Decisions – Why you chose a specific technology stack or design pattern over alternatives.
• Overcoming Roadblocks – How you debugged a critical failure or navigated a major technical pivot.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Instances where you had to align software goals with hardware limitations or business objectives.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about the most complex software system you have designed from scratch. What were the primary bottlenecks?"
• "If you had to rebuild that project today, what architecture would you change and why?"
• "Explain a time when your software had to account for a hardware failure or physical limitation."

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at Astranis, your day-to-day responsibilities will revolve around designing, building, and testing software that ensures the success of our satellite missions. If you are on the Flight Software team, you will spend your time writing highly deterministic C++ or Rust code that runs directly on the spacecraft, managing everything from attitude control to payload telemetry. If you are on the Backend or Network teams, you will architect highly available cloud infrastructure, build data pipelines to process massive amounts of telemetry, and develop the tools our operators use to command the fleet.

Collaboration is a massive part of the job. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers. For example, when a new sensor is added to the satellite, you will work with the hardware team to understand the electrical interface, write the necessary drivers, and integrate the data stream into the broader software ecosystem. You will frequently participate in design reviews, where you must clearly communicate software constraints to hardware teams and vice versa.

Testing and validation are critical responsibilities. Because you cannot easily push a patch to a satellite once it is in orbit, you will spend a significant portion of your time writing automated tests, running hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations, and participating in rigorous QA processes. You will drive initiatives to improve our testing infrastructure, ensuring that every line of code is battle-tested against the extreme conditions of space.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To thrive as a Software Engineer at Astranis, you need a solid foundation in computer science paired with an exceptional ability to learn quickly and adapt to aerospace constraints. We look for engineers who are comfortable operating at the intersection of software and the physical world.

• Must-have skills – Proficiency in a core programming language (C++, Python, Go, or Rust depending on the specific team). Strong grasp of data structures, algorithms, and state machine design. Ability to write testable, highly reliable code. Excellent verbal technical communication, particularly the ability to think out loud during complex problem-solving.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience with embedded systems, RTOS, or hardware-in-the-loop testing. Familiarity with low-level communication protocols (I2C, SPI). Previous experience in aerospace, robotics, or autonomous vehicles. Knowledge of cloud infrastructure (AWS, Docker, Kubernetes) for backend-focused roles.

The ideal candidate has a few years of experience building complex, mission-critical systems, though we highly value exceptional problem-solving abilities over specific industry tenure. You must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where requirements can shift and where you are expected to take extreme ownership of your deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews, and how should I prepare? The interviews are generally rated as moderately to highly difficult. They are fast-paced and require a solid grasp of fundamentals. Prepare by practicing state machine implementations, brushing up on basic physics/electrical concepts if you are targeting embedded roles, and practicing whiteboarding while explaining your thought process aloud.

Q: What differentiates a successful candidate from an unsuccessful one? Successful candidates do not just write correct code; they ask clarifying questions, articulate their assumptions, and handle interruptions gracefully. Interviewers at Astranis will frequently jump in to challenge your approach. Candidates who listen, adapt, and confidently discuss trade-offs perform best.

Q: Will I need to know specific physics or math equations by heart? Occasionally, yes. Some interviewers prefer candidates to know fundamental first principles (like basic thermal calculations or circuit behaviors) off the top of their heads without referencing documentation. Review your basic engineering physics if you are applying for a hardware-adjacent software role.

Q: What is the culture like during the interview process? The culture is highly curious, direct, and collaborative. Interviewers are generally described as polite and friendly, but they will push you technically. The process feels less like a formal exam and more like a working session with a future colleague.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? The timeline from the initial recruiter screen to a final decision usually spans a few weeks. However, candidates have occasionally noted that communication between rounds can be slow, so patience and proactive follow-ups with your recruiter are recommended.

Other General Tips

• Think Out Loud, but Expect Interruptions: Our interviewers want to see your brain at work. Speak clearly about your strategy before writing code. If an interviewer interrupts you, do not get flustered—this is their way of guiding you or testing how you handle dynamic discussions.
• Ask the Right Questions Back: Interviewers often leave requirements intentionally vague. It is your responsibility to ask clarifying questions about constraints, edge cases, and expected inputs. Failing to ask the right questions is a common reason candidates stumble.