Avionics System Test Operations Engineer

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 an Avionics System Test Engineer (Operations) , reporting to the Manager, Avionics System Test, 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:

• Work with Responsible Engineers and System owners across the organization to capture test design criteria for avionics test systems.


• Lead test methodology discussions with key stakeholders (e.g. Flight Software, Mission Operations) to develop test procedures for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL / HIL) test assets.


• Develop system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders.


• Day-to-day planning of system test operations, including.


• Develop automation tools (e.g. python, ground software scripts) to increase efficiency and quality of test planning, test execution, data analysis, and verification tracking.


• Serve as first point of contact for anomaly resolution: documentation, driving root cause analysis, disposition, and prevent recurrence activities.


• Support Mission Operator training activities which utilize system test HITL assets.


• Support anomaly resolution activities for issues encountered on-orbit.


• Support design of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL / HIL) test assets to provide system level validation of Haven-1 avionics, including closed-loop simulation of relevant test cases.


• Work with subject matter experts to support development, implementation, and verification of interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications.


• Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other hard science.


• 2+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with or developing hardware test systems.


• 2+ years’ 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, and digital multimeters.


• Experience designing and/or maintaining computer networks.


• Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety.


• 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.


• Familiarity with python programming.

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++


• Experience with embedded systems design and/or testing.


• Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems.


• 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.


• Familiarity with Docker (or other containerization software).


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

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.


• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.

Pay Range:

• System Test Engineer (Operations) Level II: $121,100 - $156,800


• Senior System Test Engineer (Operations): $141,300 - $183,260

Pay Range: California

$121,100 - $183,260 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, 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.