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 Senior Automation & Controls Engineer reporting to the Sr. Manager, Controls & Automation, 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:
- Own architecting the automated test framework for Vast overall, and lead the implementation of cross-functional testing across the company
- Adhere to, enforce, and improve the test processes and good practices of Vast and the test organization
- Own design, build, and commission facilities, and vehicle level DAQ systems. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources
- Work with responsible engineers to design, prepare, and execute test campaigns. This includes the manufacture of new test stands and/or operation of existing resources
- Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management
- Conduct PDR (Preliminary Design Review) and/or CDR (Critical Design Review) and TRR (Test Readiness Review) before all design/tests are started
- Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to creatively solve complex fluid system problems to save cost and schedule while improving overall quality and safety
- Document and provide resolution to non-conformances and collaborate with the quality team to implement root cause corrective actions
- Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, similar field
- 5+ years of related engineering experience
- 5+ years of experience in one or more languages (Python, C#, C++, JS, ST, etc.)
- Experience with software product development. Full lifecycle experience preferred.
- Front end development experience (React, Angular, NiceGui, etc)
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Experience working with PLC hardware and Software i.e. Beckhoff, Allen Bradley, CodeSys, or NI; Beckhoff preferred
- Experience planning and executing engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment.
- Familiarity with CI/CD in an industrial environment.
- Hands on hardware integration and testing experience
- Working knowledge of supporting engineering skills (wire harnessing, electrical diagrams, signal processing)
- Experience writing and executing test plans/procedures in collaboration with design engineers and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
- Experience with designing and implementing instrumentation systems
- Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions
- Experience with SVN, GIT, or other version management systems
- Experience with JIRA and/or Confluence
Additional Requirements:
- Must be able to travel with vehicle for test support (10%- travel)
- Must be able to work varying hours/shifts and available for extended hours as well as weekends when needed
- Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces; physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)
- Ability and desire to perform in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
Pay Range:
- Automation & Controls Engineer II: $121,100 - $156,800
- Senior Automation & Controls 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
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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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