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 a Test Technician, Components and Subassemblies, reporting to the Principal Components and Pressurized Systems Engineer to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Enthusiastic Assembly Test Specialist are accountable for coordinating and strategizing the Company’s goals through organization and forethought.
- Competent Assembly Test must guarantee they follow all quality criteria. This aids in making sure the final product meets the requirements of its intended audience by assuring high standards.
- Senior Managers must be able to mitigate any threats that may arise during assembly processes.
- Senior Managers oversee the activities of the entire team and lead by example. They establish goals, communicate them to team members, & assess their progress toward them.
- The incumbent must update upper-level stakeholders on progress. This aids in making sure that all parties involved in the process comprehend what was done and why.
- Implement formal design for manufacturing methodology, develop manufacturing strategies, and establish production site quality system requirements.
- They must also manage production requirements, ensure safety and quality controls, and lead teams to achieve organizational change.
- Flexibility is the key to success in this environment: flexibility to learn new skills, flexibility to work in a new and different business environment, and flexibility to work with others.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 10+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical/structural/fluid/electrical systems.
- 5+ years of experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Associate degree, especially in a technical field.
- Experience in research and development or another fast-paced technical environment.
- Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules.
- Proven ability to rapidly change roles, responsibilities, and learn new skills while working in a high-paced and challenging work environment.
- Experience with component and system level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action.
- Experience with evaluation and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems.
- Experience with thermal vacuum, vibration and shock test equipment.
- Basic understanding of mechanical GD&T requirements and/or electrical schematics.
- Experience with electrical tools (oscilloscopes, multimeters, soldering irons, crimpers, strippers, etc.)
- Familiarity with harness build and termination techniques for use in extreme environments.
- Experience building and activating data and control systems.
- Experience with analog and digital instrumentation (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, RTDs, TCs, encoders, deflection gages, LVDTs, accelerometers, IMUs).
- Knowledge/experience with high voltage systems (AC and DC).
- Comfortable and familiar with operating fabrication equipment (mill, lathe, drill press).
- Experience handling cryogenic fluids, Gaseous Oxygen and Nitrogen Systems.
- Experience with test operations procedures including hydraulic load control, hydro/pneumatic pressure control, writing or modifying automation, and configuration software systems and safe handling of flight parts.
- Proficient with standard computer software (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook) and some experience with CAD software (NX, TeamCenter) and programming (Python, C++).
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.
Pay Range:
- Test Technician, Components and Subassemblies III - $33.79 - $48.63
- Senior Test Technician, Components and Subassemblies - $40.00 - $50.00
- Specialist, Components and Subassemblies - $40.00 - $55.00
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
Top Skills
What We Do
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure 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 in 2026, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030.
With more than 1,000 employees at its Long Beach, California headquarters and over a billion dollars in private capital invested, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
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