Who We Are

First and foremost, we are a team of professionals who set out to build a company clients trust with their most important projects. We are a firm regarded for our client centered results and collaborative culture.

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Our History

Astra Engineering was founded in 2020 by Liz and Chris Parker to serve American industry with engineering grounded in plant operations. Chris brings more than 20 years of engineering and plant operations experience, and Liz leads with a people-first focus backed by previous administrative roles. That operations mindset runs through the whole team, backed by strong values of leadership and client focus. Astra Engineering is Idaho-based and supports clients across the West and beyond.

Two Astra Engineering engineers in hard hats reviewing drawings on a rooftop job site

Our Mission

Astra Engineering delivers thoughtful and innovative solutions that exceed expectations. With deep industry expertise and a drive for progress, we work side by side with our clients to ensure every project is approached with care, precision, and a hands-on mindset.

Our Core Values

Focus on Innovation

We embrace new methods and technologies and remain unbounded by convention. We value fresh perspectives and approach new ideas with open minds. We leverage our collective skills and resources to take on challenges with vigor and creativity.

Integrity in Action

Safety, quality, governance, and respect guide everything we do. We uphold the highest standards, take responsibility for our actions, and make the right choices—even when they are difficult.

Unrelenting Client Focus

We are responsive, respectful, and collaborative. We shape our approach to the needs of each project and remain adaptive as projects progress. We apply all of our experience and skills to deliver results from the initial concept all the way through to the finished product.

Leadership at Every Level

We focus on leadership at every level of the organization. We ensure our team members are empowered to achieve their potential because we genuinely appreciate them and desire their professional and personal growth. We live our values, we respect each other, and we help each other grow to foster a company culture of which we can all be proud.

Astra Engineering engineers in hard hats reviewing plans together on a rooftop job site

Liz Parker

Chief Executive Officer

“Leadership begins with people and relationships.”

Liz Parker is the CEO and co-founder of Astra Engineering, where she leads with a people-first approach shaped by her background in education administration and the belief that leadership is an act of bold service and stewardship to her team and clients, and to the communities in which Astra does business.

As Astra has grown, Liz has guided the company’s evolution through her strengths in team development, operational systems, and organizational leadership. She’s built a culture rooted in trust, accountability, and continuous improvement—prioritizing empowered teams, clear systems, and client-centered service.

With over two decades of experience in team development, operations, and organizational growth, Liz has led Astra Engineering’s emergence as a trusted, woman-owned engineering firm known for regulatory expertise, technical excellence, and strong client collaboration. Her focus on investing in the people and communities Astra Engineering serves empowers teams and fosters long-term partnerships with clients.

Outside of Astra, Liz is deeply connected to her Western roots. The West has been home for generations of family who ranch alongside the Yellowstone River, farmed along the Gallatin River, ran oil rigs along the high line, and served their communities through years of military service. She enjoys hiking, rafting, camping, and skiing with her family in the Rocky Mountain West.

Chris Parker

Chief Operating Officer

Chris brings over two decades of experience in plant operations and engineering to his role as COO at Astra Engineering. Before co-founding Astra, Chris built a distinguished career that culminated in an executive-level engineering leadership position within the food processing industry. His drive to leverage his extensive expertise for a broader range of clients led him to establish Astra Engineering.

Throughout his career, Chris has overseen the design and execution of projects valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. His experience spans greenfield plant designs, process engineering, automation design, and implementation. He is recognized for his sharp focus on process improvement, Lean design practices, and his deep expertise in designing hygienic processes and plant utility systems.

Since co-founding Astra Engineering, Chris has successfully led the design and management of several significant projects, including three greenfield and two brownfield developments, with construction values collectively reaching several hundred million dollars. His diverse client base includes industries ranging from food manufacturing to heavy mining.

Chris believes in personal responsibility, the power of grace, and the importance of second chances. He is driven to help others reach their professional and personal growth goals. Chris’ stewardship of employee and client resources is founded in a vision to build a firm known for its integrity, strong leadership, and a culture that attracts talented people who genuinely care about the work, clients, and communities they serve.

The Rocky Mountain West is home for Chris, who enjoys taking time to hike, raft, camp, and ski with his family. He is also an avid aviation enthusiast who enjoys flying the backcountry.

Meet Some of Our Team

Alexander Yellen

PE, Electrical Engineer
Alexander specializes in machine and facility design for sectors from wastewater treatment to semiconductor manufacturing. His portfolio covers power systems, chemical handling, pneumatics, control panels, and PLC/HMI programming. Proficient in instrumentation, construction support, and documentation, he delivers innovative, cost-effective solutions that cut labor and build time. Alexander leads interdisciplinary teams, communicates clearly with clients, and leverages his Boise State Electrical and Computer Engineering background to advance efficient automation.
Austin Allred

Controls Engineer
With over 17 years of experience in instrumentation and automation within industrial processing and manufacturing, Austin serves as a Controls Engineer here at Astra Engineering. Austin specializes in high-performance HMI design and control system integration, leveraging industry standards to deliver efficient and reliable solutions. His hands on expertise combined with technical precision, enables him to create optimized, industry-compliant systems tailored for excellence.
In his free time, Austin enjoys working with electronics and CNC manufacturing, which further enhances his hands-on approach and fuels his passion for precision and innovation in industrial design.
Jason Anderson

Senior Controls Engineer
Jason earned a degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics from Boise State University. His academic background, combined with hands-on experience, has given him a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of electrical engineering. Jason always strives for efficiency- a firm believer in finding a better, more cost-effective way to accomplish a task. When designing electrical systems, he takes pride in finding ways to reduce cost and save labor during installation. Jason prioritizes a design that simplifies the installation process, ensuring that systems are intuitive and minimizing the risk of incorrect assembly.
Steven Belcher

PE, Senior Process Engineer
Steve’s experience in process engineering spans mineral processing, water treatment, wastewater treatment, cooling systems, drying systems, steam generation, compression systems, and process safety. He offers a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, driving process improvements, and delivering key process deliverables such as flow diagrams, equipment and instrument lists, process control narratives, and P&IDs for complex technical projects. With more than two decades of experience, along with strong communication, leadership, and business acumen, Steve is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of clients and colleagues.
Keegan Susuki

Mechanical Engineer EIT
Keegan earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University. His focus on innovation and continuous improvement, coupled with advanced CAD design skills, make him a cornerstone of our mechanical team. Keegan's academic background and hands on experience have given him a solid foundation across a range of mechanical engineering disciplines. He is dedicated to delivering quality work in a timely manner, helping clients achieve their project goals on schedule. His eagerness to learn and passion for improvement make him a valuable contributor to any team.