Development Technician, Avionics Manufacturing

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 Manufacturing Development Technician reporting to the Manager, Avionics Manufacturing, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. As a Development Technician, you will work closely with our engineering teams to execute highly technical electrical builds.

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

Shift:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Responsibilities:

• Build and integrate flight-quality wire harnesses in accordance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3 standards.

• Perform PCBA assembly and rework per J-STD-001, including fine-pitch components (e.g., 0402, high-density ICs), jumper installs, and debugging.

• Apply conformal coating to PCBAs, including masking, application, curing, and inspection per applicable standards.

• Perform potting, encapsulation, and bonding (polymeric processes) for electronic assemblies and harness terminations.

• Assemble and test electromechanical systems, racks, enclosures, and engineering development hardware.

• Support battery manufacturing and integration, including cell handling, pack assembly, insulation, and test operations.

• Collaborate closely with engineering to rapidly iterate designs, prototypes, and development hardware.

• Interpret and work from schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and GD&T.

• Verify hardware against requirements and document build, coating, and test results thoroughly.

• Assist in developing and improving manufacturing processes, including coating, potting, and assembly workflows for development and early production builds.

• Track and manage work progress to meet aggressive development schedules.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, quality, and repeatability.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience in one or more of the following:

• Wire harness manufacturing (aerospace or commercial), preferably with D38999 connectors

• PCBA assembly and rework

• Electromechanical assembly

• Battery or energy storage system builds

• Conformal coating, potting, or encapsulation processes

• Experience using electronics test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, etc.)

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Certifications or experience with:

• IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Class 3)

• J-STD-001

• IPC-CC-830 (Conformal Coating)

• NASA STD 8739.4 (a plus)

• 5+ years of experience using hand tools and assembly equipment

• Experience with masking techniques, coating thickness control, curing processes, and inspection methods (UV/visual)

• Experience with potting materials (epoxies, silicones, urethanes), mixing/degassing, and cure profiles

• Experience working in high-mix, fast-paced development or production environments, especially with flight hardware

• Strong background across multiple disciplines: harnessing, PCBA, electromechanical, battery systems, and coatings

• Experience building prototypes and development hardware with frequent design iteration

• Familiarity with Atlassian tools (JIRA, Confluence, SVN)

• Basic understanding of electrical and electronic principles

• Strong attention to detail, quality, and documentation discipline

• Effective communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with engineering

Additional Requirements:

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

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: California
$24—$47 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, 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.