Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
Vast is looking for a Integration Engineer, Avionics Test, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Integration, to support the development of the systems required for the build and test of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position in our Long Beach location.
As a Integration Test Engineer, you will develop and execute avionics test campaigns. You will cover a broad scope of electrical systems taking them through procedure development, execution on the flight vehicle, and nonconformance resolution. These seemingly simple tests often require creative solutions that require first-principles thinking. Your work will be vital in transitioning the space station from a design to a built and tested station ready to host humans in space.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, execute, and maintain test procedures for flight hardware
- Evaluate if testing processes meet all requirements including safety, quality, function, and efficiency; if they do not, rectify the situation.
- Plan technical and logistical details to enable efficient completion of tests.
- Enable day-to-day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow.
- Collaborate with distributed engineering organizations, subject matter experts, and technicians to define and manage test plans, requirements, and schedules, design tests, and assess risks in an ambiguous environment.
- Act as test director and exercise technical authority for testing events
- Disposition non-conformances, make risk-informed corrective actions, and exercise engineering judgment in ambiguous situations.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, electrical, or similar field.
- Hands on hardware integration and testing experience.
- Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale.
- System-level understanding of an avionics subsystem.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience with flight hardware
- System-level understanding of many avionics subsystems
- Experience with the build, assembly, integration, or test of complex assemblies and systems.
- Familiarity with Linux and Python environments.
- Ability to make independent judgments with limited information, including non-conforming flight hardware.
- Experience planning and executing vehicle level system verifications
- Experience deriving and challenging requirements to drive product maturity
- Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.
Pay Range:
- Integration Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468
- Senior Integration Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552
- Staff Integration Engineer: $162,360 - $230,472
We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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