Avionics Test Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. 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, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for an Avionics Test Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Testing, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and commission test systems for avionics systems and associated electronics hardware

• Work with Responsible Engineers across the organization to capture test requirements for avionics test systems

• Develop component and system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders

• Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems

• Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems

• Lead and coach efforts to troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team

• Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators

• Support architecting the automated test framework for Vast overall, and lead local efforts to implement on avionics test systems

• Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other hard science

• 2+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with and developing hardware test systems

• 1+ years experience working with either C++ or python

• Experience operating and maintaining linux systems, including confident use of command line tools

• Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Bechoff)

• Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Strong documentation and communication skills

• Hands-on experience with product testing

• Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems

• Experience coordinating and/or supervising the outputs of other engineers

• Experience developing applications in python

• Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools

• Knowledge of CI/CD and issue tracking tools such as the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence) and Github

• Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers

• Experience with Embedded Systems

• Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design

• Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles

• Network programming experience

• Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems

• Familiarity with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted

Pay Range:

• Avionics Test Engineer II: $110,000-$142,100

• Senior Avionics Test Engineer: $135,800-$176,400

Pay Range: California
$110,000—$176,400 USD

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: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, 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, 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.