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 a(n) Controls & Automation Engineer II, reporting to the Manager, Controls & Automation, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain a data acquisition and controls stack to support a wide range of partnering test teams at the Long Beach site—creating software tools and setting standards for test assets and practices.
- Design, implement, and own complex control systems for testing space-rated hardware, with responsibility for both hardware and software components.
- Collaborate across disciplines—including software, thermal, manufacturing, propulsion, ECLSS, and mechanical test teams—to drive robust testing practices, gather upgrade requests, and define new capabilities for the test stack.
- Troubleshoot and debug test assets to resolve issues quickly and ensure optimal test system performance.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
- 3+ years of applied experience with programmable logic controllers or similar embedded systems.
- Working knowledge of supporting engineering skills (Wire Harnessing, electrical diagrams, signal processing).
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- 2+ years of experience with TwinCat programming and Beckhoff hardware.
- 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, and software issues.
- Coding proficiency in one or more languages (Python, C#, C++, JS, ST, etc.)
- Working knowledge of version control (Git, GitLab) and software development.
- Working knowledge of instrumentation selection.
- Familiarity with the processes behind spaceflight testing (ATP/QTP).
- Understanding of industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet, etc)
- Understanding of industrial standards (UL508A, NFPA 70, ISO 13849, etc).
Additional Requirements:
- Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.
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: 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical, electrical, or other engineering discipline.
- 3+ years of applied experience with programmable logic controllers or similar embedded systems.
- Working knowledge of wire harnessing, electrical diagrams, and signal processing.
- Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by export control regulations (citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee/refugee with status granted).
- 2+ years experience with TwinCAT programming and Beckhoff hardware.
- 2+ years professional experience testing, troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, and software issues.
- Coding proficiency in one or more languages (Python, C#, C++, JS, ST, etc.).
- Working knowledge of version control (Git, GitLab) and software development.
- Working knowledge of instrumentation selection.
- Familiarity with spaceflight testing processes (ATP/QTP).
- Understanding of industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet).
- Understanding of industrial standards (UL508A, NFPA 70, ISO 13849).
Vast Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vast and has not been reviewed or approved by Vast.
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents from day one, alongside primary care and mental‑health programs. These provisions are repeatedly emphasized as a core part of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Information highlights generous PTO with an annual cash‑out option, paid parental leave, sick time, and company holidays, with flexible PTO for exempt staff. These features indicate broad time‑off support across multiple needs.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Onsite meals and snacks, fitness memberships or stipends, and wellness resources (e.g., One Medical and Spring Health) are prominently offered. Such perks appear designed to enhance daily work experience and overall wellbeing.
Vast Insights
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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