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 May 2026. 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 Test Engineer, Instrumentation and Controls reporting to the Environmental & Thermal Control Systems Manager 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, non-exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
- Design, fabricate, and activate ground support equipment and test articles in partnership with technicians, with a focus on instrumentation and control systems, including both hardware and software.
- Operate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify manufacturing and testing equipment.
- Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of components and subassemblies, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications and industry standards.
- Ensure robust data and control systems design and implementation from end-to-end, including remote operations and data collection and storage.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in applicable manufacturing to drive innovation within the company.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in instrumentation, controls, and automation
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Strong understanding of implementation of multiple different PLC and DAQ hardware and softwares
- Experience with the following programming languages: SQL, Labview, Python, ladder logic
- Experience with SCADA systems for OPCUA and MQTT devices
- Experience designing and implementing instrumentation and control systems for hazardous fluid/pressure systems, like pumps, compressors, reactors, plants, etc.
- Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting fluids components
- Experience operating complex hazardous systems
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Skilled in operation of machinery and hand tools
- Able to work effectively in a team environment
- Comfortable working in a rapidly changing, ambiguous environment balancing multiple projects with flexibility.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
- Specific certifications, as appropriate
Salary Range: California
$150,000—$200,000 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.
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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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