Air Space Intelligence Inc.

Bringing Software Velocity to Aerospace and Defense

Air Space Intelligence (ASI) is a dual-use software company deploying predictive AI to the world's most complex operating environments. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Boston, ASI focuses on mission-critical sectors where predictability matters and real-time is already the past. Their flagship platform actively manages over 40% of all US air traffic across public and private sector operations, optimizing thousands of flights daily for major partners like United and Alaska Airlines to deliver millions in fuel savings. Having recently secured a $34M Series B led by Andreessen Horowitz, the company is rapidly expanding its capabilities from aviation into new domains including global logistics, maritime, and energy.

A Culture of Speed and Autonomy

Speed is the defining characteristic of ASI's culture. In industries like aerospace and defense where progress has historically been slow, incremental, and stifled by rigid procurement cycles, ASI operates with a "dynamic, focused and deeply mission-driven" approach.

The company values merit over experience and actively seeks out "independent thinkers" and "resourceful builders." Engineers are given significant autonomy from day one and are expected to own problems end-to-end rather than just writing code. As one employee shared, "We move fast, not just because we can, but because we believe it’s necessary... Everyone on the team is empowered to take initiative, move decisively and bring big ideas to life quickly."

What You'll Actually Do

Working at ASI means engaging directly with high-stakes, real-world problems. Engineers work in a tight feedback loop with customers, often side-by-side, enabling them to "ship impactful features in days, not months or years."

Whether you are a Backend, Frontend, or Machine Learning Engineer, you will be building the future of complex operations using a modern tech stack that includes Python, React, TypeScript, Rust, and AWS/Google Cloud infrastructure. You won't be siloed; instead, you will see your work make an operational impact in real time, contributing to systems that are already optimizing and monitoring tens of thousands of global flights.

Compensation & Benefits

ASI provides competitive and transparent compensation packages. For Software Engineers, the median total compensation in the US is around $113K per year, with base salaries starting near $100K and stock options adding to the total. Senior and Staff roles naturally command higher figures, with some engineers reporting total compensation up to $260K.

Beyond salary and equity, ASI offers premium healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), flexible work hours, and a hybrid work model. Office perks in Boston and Washington D.C. include ergonomic desk setups, freshly prepared daily team lunches, commuter benefits, and company-sponsored outings like dinners and trips on a lobster boat.

The Interview Process

Candidates generally rate the interview process at ASI as difficult, with a timeline averaging around 25 days. The process typically begins with a recruiter screening, followed by a conversation with an engineering leader (such as the VP of Engineering or CTO).

Technical rounds are rigorous. Expect 1-2 coding interviews, often involving string manipulation or algorithmic challenges (like a chessboard BFS problem), and domain-specific tests (such as a React/TypeScript exercise for frontend roles). The onsite or final round usually includes more coding, system design (e.g., designing an air traffic monitoring system), and behavioral discussions. Be prepared to code without the assistance of AI tools, as some candidates noted this constraint during their technical assessments.

Why Join / Why Not

Why Join: If you are frustrated by bureaucratic red tape and want to see your code directly impact massive, real-world operations—like saving airlines millions in fuel or supporting critical defense missions—ASI offers an unparalleled opportunity. It's a place for high-energy builders who thrive on autonomy, speed, and meaningful work.

Why Not: The intense focus on speed and the demanding nature of 24/7 mission-critical operations might not suit everyone. The interview process is challenging, and the expectation to "move decisively" means you must be comfortable with high expectations and rapid context switching. If you prefer a slow-paced, highly structured corporate environment, ASI's startup velocity might feel overwhelming.