RF Test Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. 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 RF Test Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The RF Test Engineer will help develop and deploy creative test solutions for complex RF communications and antenna systems for artificial gravity space stations, your work will be vital in testing new and existing RF hardware to support Vast’s mission. Help us make the communication systems that will advance human spaceflight!

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

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with RF and antenna engineers to design and build state of the art automated test systems for component level and vehicle level applications.

• Test automation software development for test instruments, data processing, test sequencing, and reporting.

• Define RF test system requirements and specifications.

• Support spacecraft RF test activities such as OTA, EMI/EMC, antenna pattern measurement, and system checkouts.

• Hands on environmental test for RF hardware (thermal cycling, TVAC, random vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, humidity, etc) as well as supporting spacecraft integration test in cleanroom facilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM discipline.

• 2+ years in an RF design and/or test role.

• Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Communications Test Systems, Power Meters, etc.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Ms in ECE, EE, Physics, or related stem discipline.

• Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success.

• Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.

• Experience with GNU Radio and software-defined radios (SDRs).

• Understanding of RF modulation and media access control schemes such as BPSK, SOQPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc.

• Familiarity with IP networking and ethernet connected test instruments.

• Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and I2C, RS-422/485.

• Understanding of RF schematics and RF electronics manufacturing.

• Experience with software development: Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, etc.

• Familiarity with space rated avionics test standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-461, etc.

Pay Range:

• RF Test Engineer: $120,000 - $150,000

• Senior RF Test Engineer: $140,000 - $170,000

Salary Range: California
$120,000—$170,000 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.