Avionics System 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 a Avionics System Test Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Avionics System Test, to support the development of the automated testing systems that will be required for the designing of satellites and 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 avionics units, 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 tasks

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

• Familiarity with C++ or python programming

• Experience with embedded systems design and/or 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

• Experience designing and/or maintaining computer networks

• Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Beckhoff)

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

Pay Range: California $121,000—$183,260 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.

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.