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 Avionics System Test Engineer, reporting to the Director, Avionics Test, 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:
- Support design of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL / HIL) test assets to provide system level validation of Haven-1 avionics, including closed-loop simulation of relevant Use Cases
- Work with Responsible Engineers and System owners across the organization to capture test design criteria for avionics test systems
- Develop system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders
- Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications
- Own procurement and integration of test equipment to build, commission, and sign-off system test assets
- Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems
- Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems
- Lead and coach troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team
- Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators
- Serve as a mentor for junior engineers within the Avionics Test team, coordinating efforts of complex projects and task
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other hard science
- 5+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with and developing hardware test systems
- Experience building and maintaining hardware test systems
- Experience operating and maintaining Linux systems, including confident use of command line tools
- Experience with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
- Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety
- Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
- Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis methodologies and problem-solving within avionics or complex hardware environments.
- Strong documentation skills, with the ability to produce detailed, accurate technical reports and communicate findings effectively.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
- Experience developing and executing requirement-driven test plans for avionics or electronics systems.
- Experience with automated test systems and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments.
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
Pay Range:
- Avionics System Test Engineer II: $121,100 - $156,800
- Senior Avionics System Test Engineer: $141,300 - $183,260
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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