Avionics Test Engineer

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station 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. 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 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for an Avionics Test Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Testing, to support the development of the automated testing 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:

• Design, build, and commission test systems for avionics systems and associated electronics hardware
• Work with Responsible Engineers across the organization to capture test requirements for avionics test systems
• Develop component and system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders
• Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems
• Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems
• Lead and coach efforts to troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team
• Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators
• Support architecting the automated test framework for Vast overall, and lead local efforts to implement on avionics test systems
• Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other hard science
• 2+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with and developing hardware test systems
• 1+ years experience working with either C++ or python
• Experience operating and maintaining linux systems, including confident use of command line tools
• Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Bechoff)
• Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Strong documentation and communication skills
• Hands-on experience with product testing
• Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems
• Experience coordinating and/or supervising the outputs of other engineers
• Experience developing applications in python
• Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools
• Knowledge of CI/CD and issue tracking tools such as the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence) and Github
• Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
• Experience with Embedded Systems
• Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
• Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
• Network programming experience
• Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
• Familiarity with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: California $135,800 — $176,400 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

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.